Fia Restaurant in The Burgess Hotel

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/23/21

Dressed to the nines, the couple breezed through the heavy double doors and made their way to the lavish Mr. B Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. Next to the bar, the Library’s large green, tailored coach was inviting as the fire in the fireplace leapt and danced on the cold day near the end of winter. The beauty of The Burgess Hotel in the heart of Buckhead is breathtaking, you’ll forget you’re in a boutique hotel, more like in a bond movie. Adjacent to the Library, there’s a flavor-forward wood-fire grilled restaurant called Fia Restaurant. Fia, meaning little fire, is anything but that, it boasts big, larger than life flavor, as well as delicious grilled fare that is pretty unforgettable. Burgess, who owns the hotel, got the spices and flavors from his extensive travels and it really shows in his food! Everything from the savory Braised Lamb Shank, the perfectly Charred Octopus, an amazing Pork Belly bowl, sweet and savory Coconut Pecan Old Fashioned, and unbelievable Grilled Whole Branzino are literally on-fire with flavor. Let’s take a tour of the Fia menu, shall we?

Upon arriving, we were quickly greeted with a tasty signature cocktail called the Coconut Pecan Old Fashioned. This isn’t your father’s cocktail that’s for sure! They use coconut washed bourbon as the base so even though it is boozy, there is an element of sweetness to the cocktail throughout. As you sip this starts boozy, ends sweet, and a little spice from the spiced pecan Demerara. Make us another!

Of the appetizers, we made great choices with the Charred Octopus and the Pork Belly. Starting with the octopus that’s seriously tender with a smoky, light char to round out the flavor. Paired with the tangy and bright artichokes, an earthy bed of capers, salty olives, there is so much complexity on the palate. We can’t stop thinking about this healthy option! On the opposite end of the spectrum is a deep and rich pork belly dish that is chocked full of dynamic flavors. It starts with a slightly crispy outside and tender inside pork belly that melts into a sea of creamy and sharp grits. Decadent and topped with tangy pickled onions and an outstanding sweet glaze, this was so good that everything together ended up being creamy, sharp, crispy, tangy, sweet, and tender. Yum.

After enjoying these two starters, we had to go big for the Braised Lamb Shank and the Whole Grilled Branzino. The Braised Lamb Shank was served with a decorative cone on it and revealed to us when placed on the table. Beyond the fun presentation, the lamb fell off the bone and slathered with the hefty, rich, and lightly tangy sauce.  The flavor was so bright, tangy, and yet ended smooth that went to so well with the sauce and rice. Plus, we knocked it out of the park ordering the Brussel Sprouts on the side. Some of the most tender sprouts we’ve had with a great little char were fantastic! The sweetness of the pear that was vibrant and light mix so well with the char and the earthiness of the sprouts. Now, the best bite of the night had to be the Whole Grilled Branzino. We don’t know exactly what spices were on the charred and crispy skin, but they were so well balanced and savory that it made every bite different and fun! The fish was perfectly cooked and served whole paired with a cabbage-y light salad with a bright and lemony sauce. Now, that’s how you season, cook, and grill fish with tender fish up front, crisp skin, and every flavor profile seasoned on the outside. Wow!

To finish up our experience, we opted for the Chocolate Cake. What’s better than ending a fantastic meal with a little chocolate? This one was rich and mostly dark chocolate with hint of raspberry paired with some light and fluffy cake. Would go so well with an after-dinner aperitif or even a good little cup of espresso.

At the end of the evening, the bar was dotted with a few guests and the library’s fireplace glowed from across the hotel. The perfect end to the perfect evening. What would you like to try?

The White Bull

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/16/21

Our Foodie Unicorn

On a gray, cold, overcast day with freezing rain in the air, we headed to Decatur Square to enjoy a meal at one of Atlanta’s best restaurants, The White Bull. This is one of those places that you dream about as a foodie and a reviewer. You know we were counting the days to go and try Chef Pat Pascarella’s amazing creations and when that day arrived, we were blown away by so many dynamic plates. They have everything from the fantastic Cold Chicken Sandwich, the savory Poutine, fresh Half Chicken entrée, some earthy Burrata and Beets, smoky Smoked Trout, rich Brussel Sprouts, and some buttery Bread and Butter. It was worth the wait.  Alright, let’s not leave you in suspense; we’re ready to get down to the details.

With a diverse array of starter dishes and share plates, The White Bull has some spectacular bites. With all of them so good, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but probably the simple smoky smoked trout was the stand-out with a mellow fish spread with the perfect amount of smoke, charred bread, and tangy pickled onions. It was a ton of flavor, salty, savory, smoky, charred, and tangy. Also, we really enjoyed the Burrata and Beets with its naturally earthy and savory flavors with a hint of sweetness. We loved the addition of the anchovies for a natural salt and savory source to pair perfectly with the creamy cheese and roasted earthiness of the beets. Don’t let the anchovies scare you, they’re a great way to amp up the flavor without the sodium! From the sweet and tang of the sauce to the earthiness of the Brussel Sprouts, we loved these morsels! Plus, along with the creamy and sharp cheese paired with bacon bites for a dash of savory, these are some of the best sprouts in the city. John’s favorite starter was the Bread and Butter, a masterful piece of light and airy focaccia with melty butter and topped with piney rosemary. We found it was perfect for dipping in the main entrée, the Half Chicken or plain with some good, old fashioned butter. Warm and hearty.

Of the menu, the most brunchy of the entrees had to be the poutine. A heaping pile of crunchy, warm, and tender potatoes topped with wonderfully cooked beef brisket, then on the bottom, the savory and garlicky gravy with onions was the perfect combination. On top, mild and light cheese and the savor of the fried egg complete this amazing bowl. The best part is on the bottom, so get as much of the ingredients in the savory gravy and take one big bite. You’ll end up with a creamy, savory, crunchy, tangy, and rich bite. Plus, for the price, this is a TON of food, you’ll want to share!

On our road to The White Bull, we’ve had some great chicken, fantastic, phenomenal even, but one thing we remember about Chef Pat is that he has the absolute best chicken you can find in the city. We sampled it at a Polenta party back in early 2019, and it showed back up again in the Half Chicken dish. Fall off the bone tender and immaculately cooked chicken, skin on to lock in the juices, this dish is mind blowing good and you just can’t match the freshness.  Alone, this chicken is the star of the show, but you add the accoutrements of the sweet, hearty grits, savory garlic sauce, and charred broccolini and you’ve got THE flavor spectrum. Rich, savory, hearty, creamy, smoky, earthy, do we need to even go on? Pro tip, make sure to get the chicken off the bone and roll it around in the sauce, grits, cut off some broccolini and dig in. Put this on your must try list.

The waitress told us that her favorite menu item was the Cold Chicken Sandwich, and after her ooh and ahh-ing we were sold. It has to be good if she loves it that much? She was spot on, this practically perfect chicken sandwich in every way, has it all. The crisp of the fried chicken hits you on the front of the palate then the flavor changes and you get the creaminess of the mayo, the crunchy pickles, and the savory of the hearty bacon jam slathered on top. The flavor is so rich, deep, and complex that you don’t know what ingredient you like more. The combination of flavors is striking, and you will NOT be able to stop eating it! Needless to say, put this on your list too!

What’s a fantastic experience without an amazing cocktail? We got the Wollman Sour that was reminiscent of red wine up front but as you drink it sweetens as the egg white hits your palate and ends up being creamy and sweet. Rustic and earthy then sweet, so delicious.

At the end of our meal, the sleet was coming down pretty good outside, so we sat a while and watched another group order food for the table and talk about how good the food is, we concur! Everything is top-notch. What would you like to try?

Vin 25 in Roswell

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/8/21

In a quaint cottage just off the hustle and bustle of Canton’s food district in Roswell, Vin 25’s heated patio glows with firepits and the chatter of diners can be heard down Plum Street. We visited for Roswell Restaurant Weeks, but beyond that, this little slice of heaven is the perfect spot for an intimate date night, a glass of wine with your bestie, or just for a relaxing meal on the patio. Their stellar menu boasts large plates like succulent salmon to amazing charcuterie and fromage boards, unique wines like the Albarino Reserva from Uruguay, craft cocktails, and a whole slew of small plates. Just thinking about Vin 25 is making us hungry, let’s dig in.

Just because Vin 25 sells as a wine bar, doesn’t mean you can’t sip on a tasty cocktail. We sampled the La Rosa and it was a real treat from the mix of lemon, tequila, and sparkling rose. But what really makes this cocktail is that bit of spice from the prevalent amount of black pepper. It gives it just that little edge to elevate it from good to great. Now, being that Vin 25 IS a wine bar, we had to try something different, so we paired our salmon with the wine pairing recommended, the Barbera. A mild red wine out of Italy that is lighter bodied and more reminiscent of a pinot noir. Not too fruity, but not too bold, this one went so well with the earthiness of the foraged mushrooms and Brussel sprouts on the main course. We also were treated to the Albarino Reserva out of Uruguay, which is a white varietal that reminds us of in between a Vinho Verde and a Pinot Grigio. It was tart with a slight acidity but mellows out on the back of the pallet for a smooth finish. What a wonderful wine!

As we mentioned, we went for Roswell Restaurants Weeks and got the 3-course meal that included Winter Squash Toast, 60 South Salmon, and Buttermilk Cake. On top of that we got gigantic charcuterie and fromage board! The board consists of 5 rotating meats and cheeses that can range from Tomme, which was John’s favorite, to Red Dragon from Whales, which was Liz’s favorite. What’s Red Dragon? It’s an aged cheddar that contains grain mustard seeds. Delicious. On the meats, we sampled two types of salami, prosciutto, and more. Who knows what will end up on the board next time! Hope it has the honeycomb and the bacon jam, those were very welcome accoutrement to the meats and cheeses presented! One of the better meat and cheese boards around, if you ask us.

The first course for the 3-course meal was the Winter Squash Toast. This seasonal vegetable toast had so much flavor! Just imagine the creamy and sweet winter squash purée melts into the crunchy toast and as you bite you go from creamy and sweet to savory of the bacon, tart of the currant vinaigrette, to tang of the pickled onions. Did we mention this one was bursting with flavor? It’s so complex and really tasty! The second course was the 60 South Salmon.  This one is a beautiful plate and just as beautiful tasting. The English pea purée is creamy and a little earthy that pairs perfectly with the tender salmon. Sitting in the middle of the salmon, the brussel sprouts are cooked just right and mixed with foraged mushrooms. This rounds out the flavors of earthy, crispy, and a richness. Such a good dish, and a great portion! Must try. The third course was the Buttermilk Cake.  Not too sweet, not too rich, this moist and delicate cake has a warm and buttery caramel on top of a boozy Rumchatta cream. Those dynamic flavors are well balanced with the addition of strawberries for tartness and almonds and pecans for a crunch.

What’s better than good food is always good company, we enjoyed talking to Mac, the GM, and our waiter about all things wine and beer. They have an amazing staff, stellar menu, and top-notch drinks. We can’t wait to sit on their amazing patio when the weather gets warmer. We’ll have to get the Albarino Reserva again and try a new bite or two. What would you like to try?

Mac’s Chophouse: Brunch on the Square

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/1/21

On a beautiful sunny weekend in the middle of winter, staring out the big windows at Mac’s Chophouse is the best view of the beautiful Marietta Square. You’d never know gazing down there it was cold enough to wear a heavy wool coat, the warm sun shown into the dining room, feeling almost like summer. Beyond the beautiful second story views, Mac’s Chophouse has impeccable service and even better brunch dishes. Lazy Susan in the middle, we got a hodgepodge of brunch staples like the wonderful Chicken and Waffles, creamy Eggs Benedict, and the big “bring-your-appetite” Lazy Susan sampler. Then, we took a moment to sip on the Black Thai Affair and a mimosa to perfect the day. Let’s dig in.

Our wonderful waiter didn’t skip a beat in recommending a cocktail, he immediately pointed to the Black Thai Affair. This gem of a cocktail starts out with a slight booze and then finishes with a creamy, frothy, citrus bite. The best part of this cocktail has to be the peppercorn thai basil syrup that gave it a peppery nose that lingered into the sip and on the back of the throat. It was such a wonderful unique addition to jazz up the entire drink. Must Try.

Moving on to the food, we saw they had pork belly appetizer and just had to at least try it.  Perched a top a bed of perfectly crisped Brussel Sprouts, the belly was the right amount of fat and meat, plus well-seasoned. To top it off, a drizzle of barbecue sauce for a little bit of a tang. All together the earthiness and crisp of the sprouts paired well with the savory meat and the tart of the sauce. Get everything in one bite! Moving to our brunch items, we got the Eggs Benedict and opted for the ham, you could also get crab cakes. This duo was rich egg and tangy hollandaise resting on a crisp English muffin and hearty, thick and meaty ham. We’d recommend getting these with the cheese grits and mix them together. OMG, now that’s amazing.

Of everything we got, the chicken and waffles were almost too good to believe. Starting with the crisp and tender chicken topped with candied bacon, all sitting on a warm and fluffy waffle. Don’t forget to drizzle on a generous amount of maple syrup for the best possible bite. It has all the flavors from savory, crunchy, sweet, and rich. Beyond this amazing dish, the Lazy Susan Sampler was another bright spot, and something we’ve not seen on any other menu. It was a hodgepodge of delicious brunch items like a salmon bagel, creamy and cheesy grits, all the brunch meats you can imagine, a slice of dreamy crème brulee French Toast, a waffle, crispy potatoes, and scrambled eggs. It doesn’t get any more complete than this really as you get a good bit of everything on the menu. The favorites from the sampler had to be the amazing cheesy, tart, and creamy grits, along with the perfectly cooked and thick crème brulee French toast slathered in maple syrup, and the little salmon bagel.  Remember to bring your appetite, you’ll need it for this one.

As the waiter took the lazy susan away, we peered back out the window and watched people stroll through the Marietta Square, one couple hand-in-hand, a few young ladies giggling, and a biker stopped to check his watch. We agreed at that point, the food was just as good as the view. We can’t wait to try more at Mac’s Chophouse.

Jai Ho Indian Kitchen and Bar

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/24/21

Tucked at the end of Dutch Valley in Midtown, Jai Ho Indian Kitchen and Bar is truly a hidden gem in the heart of Atlanta. With scratch Indian-inspired cocktails along with divine dishes that are big on flavor, they have dynamic staples like hearty Aloo Gobi and Chana Masala to inspired mains like the Lamb Hind Shank and even pizza! Don’t go to Jai Ho without trying one of their signature, made-fresh cocktails like the Jai Ho Colada and the Cilantro Martini. Who’s hungry?

Upon arrival, we were greeted with two wonderful cocktails, the Jai Ho Colada and the Cilantro Martini. The Jai Ho Colada has a ton of tiki inspiration with a little bit of booze up front and juicy pineapple on back. This drink literally reminded us of biting into a fresh of the tree pineapple. We were impressed with its simplicity and fruitiness. As for the Cilantro Martini, one thing we never thought we’d say together was cilantro and martini. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, this green cocktail mixes vodka and an array of fresh ingredients, but the star is the cilantro because it gives the entire drink an earthiness that ends with a slight booze and the lingering tang of lemon. Either of these are a good choice!

On the vegetarian side, we sampled the Aloo Gobi and Chana Masala. With perfectly seasoned cauliflower and tender potato, the Aloo Gobi flavor bursts off the plate with earthiness and heartiness. So tender, savory, and rich, this is always a favorite dish of ours but this one was so good, we might have cleaned the plate. We ate this without anything to accompany, it doesn’t need it. On the other hand, the Chana Masala starts hearty and earthy as well but as you eat the heat builds on this stellar dish and you end up grabbing your water. This one is a perfect pair for the rice because it helps cut through some of the heat. Also, we ended up mixing the two and it just elevated the flavors from all the dishes and became a hodge-podge of earthy, spicy, hearty, and savory. We’d recommend doing this to anyone.

Something we didn’t expect to see on Jai Ho’s menu was pizza! It’s an innovative way to bring interest to the menu and to use the naan you have around the restaurant. The one we got was the Chicken Tikka Pizza with tender chicken and savory sauce mixed with the right amount of cheese and crunchy onion. It ended up being savory, sweet, creamy, and tangy. Did not disappoint!

Now that we have your attention, let’s talk Lamb Hind Shank. We gasped with delight when the lamb came to the table because this beautifully plated gorgeous piece of lamb has it all! The meat itself is tender and cooked just right to not give off any gaminess. Then, slathered in a Masala sauce with earthiness, spiciness, and rich savory explosion of flavors that envelop the tender meat. Our tip for this dish is to get a ton of the meat off the bone, mix in the sauce and the rice and you have one dynamic plate. Get this no matter what else.

What would you like to try? Perhaps a cocktail and some lamb?

The Southern Gentleman

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/7/21

Holding every door for you. Greet you with a genuine smile. Dressed to impress. Asking politely to hold your hand. With all that southern authenticity and charm, you’ll get this vibe from The Southern Gentleman in Buckhead!  From southern-inspired fancy fried chicken, divine duck, spicy shishito peppers, some fantastic signature cocktails, creamy potato gnocchi and a fun dessert, expect to be charmed by this one. Let’s not waste another minute. Who’s hungry?

Starting with the sips, we sampled the Nick’s Garden and The Upside Down. The favorite of the two was the Nick’s Garden because it was a vegetable forward cocktail with a ton of tasty flavor. With the earthiness of beets combining with the lemon, earthy gin, blackberry for tartness and honey for sweetness, this cocktail created a balanced sip from start to finish. Plus, it’s gorgeous! The Upside Down pays homage to the classic pina colada or pineapple upside down cake, take your pick. With pineapple the star of this cocktail, it combines lemon rhubarb bitters for some earthiness and tart that pairs well with the rum and pineapple. This one drinks like a tiki pineapple drink with a nice froth that is reminiscent of the beach.

To begin our meal, we tried three small plates that included the Homemade Buttermilk Rolls, Potato Gnocchi, and Blistered Shishito Peppers. Something you must get for your table are the Homemade Buttermilk Rolls because they’re not just any ordinary roll! They add bacon fat to them on top of the tender and buttery rolls, so that the bacon flavor lingers on the back of the bite. They’re something that you have to try, buttery, warm, meaty. Then, the potato gnocchi, tastes spot on to a loaded baked potato! With creamy, sharp sauce that is so rich and deep it engulfs the tender potato pillows. It ends up being sharp, creamy, yet soft and fluffy. All-around yum. Our favorite bite had to be the Blistered Shishito Peppers. We’ve never been a big fan of these peppers because they’re either bland or just not cooked right, but this dish changed our minds. Actually, our minds were blown how much this dish brought a hint of spice, the savory of the Bahn Mi vinaigrette broth, and the meatiness of the ham. We couldn’t stop eating because it started with a pop of the pepper skin, a slight earthiness, followed by spiciness, then cooled and brightened by the flavorful broth and ham. Must try.

Of the main dishes, the Honey-Glazed Duck and Buttermilk Fried Chicken stood out as the most interesting. Duck is an acquired taste for some but it’s divine for others, and we love our duck. The Honey-Glazed Duck didn’t disappoint with tender and slightly sweet duck perfectly paired with lemony forward sauce that brightened the savory of the jus. On the side, the creamed turnips were creamy, earthy and they hide the best surprise, the most amazing duck sausage we’ve ever put in our mouths! It was salty, hearty, and whatever you do we recommend you mix it with the creamed turnips and sauce. Divine duck IS RIGHT. As for the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, this beauty was pretty to behold, but also was fantastic to eat. The crunchy shell is glazed with a hot honey, all while masking a tender piece of white meat inside. Crunchy, spicy, sweet, and tender. Then, creamy, and mellow leaks accompany the heartiness and spice of the meat. Complex and good.

Staying for dessert, we decided that Pumpkin Spiced Donuts sounded like the perfect way to end our meal. They house make these donuts, fry them up, and top them with tons of cinnamon. On the side, coffee ice cream goes well with the crunch and cinnamon flavor of the donuts and is reminiscent of coffee and donuts in the morning. What a great way to end this meal. I do declare if this wasn’t a fantastic, well-round food adventure.

Joy Cafe Atlanta

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/20/20

We heard a rumor that Joy Café in Midtown serves up the best brunch in the city, but what we know for absolute certainty is that they have a delectable dinner menu and specialty cocktails! The second you walk in; you’re greeted with a larger-than-life Christmas tree in the center of the dinning room. With babbles and ornaments, tons of colorful lights, packages, and a train running around the bottom, what stands out is the word Joy. Not only is Joy Café have it in it’s name, it’s a testament to the love and you know we’re going to say it, joy, that goes into every dish and cocktail that they make. Like the tree, larger-than-life flavors and textures are in every bite, like the best southern fried chicken we’ve found in Atlanta, the healthy salmon, savory pork belly ribs, “southerned-up” ahi tuna ceviche, amazing cocktails, and unforgettable homemade hot sauce. Who’s ready to eat?

During the holidays, Joy Café turns their bar into a holiday pop-up with fresh, unique cocktails that meld simple, yet diverse flavors. The three from the holiday cocktail menu included Cuddly as a Cactus, Stocking Stuffer, and The Milk and Cookies Santa Really Wants. Our favorite of the three was the Grinch-inspired Cuddly as a Cactus (charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch). You ending up singing that last bit, didn’t you? From the black coupe to the green hue, it packs a ton of flavors like chartreuse, citrus, but very little smoke of the mezcal. It comes off very balanced between the bold chartreuse flavors and the citrus.  On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Stocking Stuffer that’s coated in candy cane flecks and sugar, this one starts off sweet and milky of the egg then comes around and hits you with bold peppermint. It’s a Christmas treat to say the least. We can’t agree more with The Milk and Cookies Santa Really Wants. Boozy kahlua shot inside a fresh homemade cookie glass you can eat after? Yes, please. Plus, the cookie is so good you may want to get TWO, just for the cookie! Now, that’s definitely what Santa would approve.

Starting off with a couple of appetizers, we opted for the Pork Belly Ribs and the Ahi Tuna Ceviche. One of the favorite bites of the night, had to be the ceviche with creamy guacamole, perfectly tender and marinated in bloody mary mix tuna then topped with fried onions. We think it is genius that they added a hint of southern with the fried onions. They’re delightfully and really gives this dish a uniqueness! It comes off with all the flavors, creamy, meaty, crunchy, and tart. As for the Pork Belly Ribs, you’re in for a hearty, rich treat with so many bold and dynamic flavors. From the tender and perfectly cooked belly to the chunky and rich grits to a phenomenal hot sauce, you end up with a meaty, earthy, creamy, and spicy bite all in one. Speaking of the homemade hot sauce, you must try it. It has peppers in it, perfectly seasoned, creamy, and very spicy and puts those boring one-note hot sauces to shame. It’s on the pork belly and comes with the fried chicken, but we bet you could put it on just about anything.

Speaking of the fried chicken, we cannot stop thinking about this dish. It’s perfect. The crunchy, crispy, and oh, so naughty skin peels back to reveal a tender and juicy bird. The skin is so good with rich buttermilk, the right amount of spices, and that unforgettable crunch. But don’t forget to eat with the meat because it’s so tender it just falls right off the bone. This dish comes with not-your-mommas mac and cheese that’s so rich and cheesy. On the other side, we also opted for a healthier option, the Salmon. Just because we said it was healthier, we didn’t mean a lack of flavor. The succulent salmon is topped with a light creamy, lemony sauce atop a bead of mixed lentils, chick peas, celery, carrots, and more. The accoutrements are a lot like a cassoulet but just on the light side without too much fuss.  It’s nicely seasoned and the crunch goes so well with the tenderness of the salmon and the lightness of the sauce.

Save room for dessert, because here comes the Milk and Cookies Pie that we’ve heard they’re famous for! It looks more like a cake, but definitely eats like a pie. Light and airy filling paired with cookie crust, you can imagine you’re eating literal milk and cookies. Now that you’ve had a few things on the menu, what do you want to try? For us, next time, meatloaf! We also must get out and try this brunch too. We have to confirm that rumor.

Zafron Restaurant Sandy Springs

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/13/20

From the moment you walk in and see the lavish and gorgeous garden room adorned with a chandelier and notice the dynamic food, Zafron Restaurant turns out to be a true Persian gem in Sandy Springs that has style. From dips and starters for every taste, an extensive wine list, to tender sea bass, and the fantastic and unique experience of the Rhubarb Lamb Shank, we sipped and tasted our way around the menu. We can’t wait to share our experience any longer, let’s dive in.

Dipping into the Starters, the Dolmeh Stuffed Cabbage and Zafron Special are both highly recommended one being savory and the other spicy. First, the Zafron Special has a ton of flavor with the crunch of the palm to the sweetness of the mango, paired with a very spicy chili. This one has a flavor journey from sweet to spicy all in one bite. Just wow! Then, the stuffed cabbage is the perfect balance of savory and earthy. The cabbage was so tender and easy to eat, then perfect pair with the stewed tomatoes and the meat in the middle. It ended up being savory, earthy, and rich with the stewed tomatoes. So good.

John’s favorite ended up being the Baked Goat Milk Feta Cheese and this one is a flavor explosion! Just imagine the creamy and milky feta topped with a pistachio compote that levels out the earthiness of the cheese with an injection of sweet. It’s a one-two punch of awesome. We found out you can ask for more or less pistachio compote depending on how sweet you want it. But we liked the way it was served. Pro tip for the appetizers: get the Zafron Special and the Baked Goat Milk Feta and MIX THEM together. The Zafron Special is very spicy, but the feta is very sweet so they go together like PB&J! They compliment each other so well and the feta cools the special a little for an all-around great bite. Thanks to our server for recommending it!

Whatever you do, get the Rhubarb Lamb Shank. It’s an exclusive experience you can only have at Zafron! When the lamb comes out, it is in a bowl with a pita laying on top. What the pita does is soak up all the flavor and keeps in the heat. When you’re ready to eat, you punch the pita down into the broth. Give it a few minutes so the bread can soak up the broth and spices, then enjoy. Beyond the grand experience, the lamb comes out perfectly tender, while the broth had a so many spices and flavors. With the pita added and the addition of the fava beans and rice, this concoction becomes a hearty meal once mixed together. So many great flavors and textures, it’s a must get. On the other side of the spectrum, the other entrée we got was the Chilean Sea Bass that was so very tender and fell apart off the skewer. The just right amount of seasoning on top, side of fluffy rice, and you have a light, tender, dynamic little dish.

Now that you’re starving, what would you want to try first?

McCray’s Tavern East Cobb

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/30/20

Just as the sun sets in the sky, the lights start to glow inside McCray’s Tavern East Cobb, while the hustle and bustle of the guests, bartenders, and staff picks up. The energy permeates the air and entices you to enjoy a light appetizer, try the latest chef’s special, and maybe a cocktail or two. We also have to admit, McCray’s Tavern is more eatery than the Tavern name suggests with dynamic and diverse dishes that Chef Mo continues to knock out of the park. Yes, McCray’s Tavern East Cobb may have traditional tavern fare like wings and burgers, but when you see the extensive menu and specials, all you know is you’re in for a treat. From feisty, spicy tuna tartare, delectable duck, divine butternut squash agnolotti, hearty pork chop, to the lemony East Meets West cocktail, McCray’s Tavern East Cobb turns tavern into culinary adventure. Who’s ready to eat?

While waiting for our food, we sipped on two frisky cocktails, the East Meets West and the Mayan Copa. East Meets West does a balancing act between the smooth gin, lemon, and tiki bitters. Light, lemony, and refreshing, this patio sipper, has so much flavor! This ended up being the favorite because it’s one of those drinks you could have a few of and really enjoy! The other cocktail was Mayan Copa. This margarita-like number takes it up a notch with a little bit of grapefruit and dark colored salt on the rim to give it some sass. It’s a beautiful cocktail with the dark salt contrasting the pink of the drink.

When the food arrived, we couldn’t wait to dive into our first course, which started with the spicy tuna tartare and ended with thai chili wings. This is not your regular tuna tartare, it’s a fun take on this dish with a perfect mixture of tender, spicy, tuna, plus ginger, lime, and garlic. Not too spicy and with a ton of flavor, it’s topped with a dreamy avocado mousse that gives it that right amount of creaminess. Don’t forget to eat it with the wonton chips, those give it that crunch. Our pro tip is to make sure to mix it all together well and eat with those chips. Flavor time! Something McCray’s does well are wings. From the crispiness of the skin, mighty meaty flats, and spicy, sweet thai chili glaze, we were definitely treated to a plate of goodness. No ranch or blue cheese required.

Something we didn’t expect was that amazing specials that McCray’s Tavern East Cobb offers daily! We sampled both the Tea-Brined Duck and the Pasta of the Day, Butternut Squash Agnolotti. Starting with the pasta, this to-die-for dish marries hearty, sweet pasta stuffed with creamy butternut squash with a phenomenal truffle vinegar and butter pecan glaze. With hints of lemon, butter, and the bite of hard cheese, it’s rich, cheesy, hearty, creamy, earthy, sweet, with the perfect amount of sauce. Are you hungry yet? We’re not done, either. Next, the Tea-Brined Duck started with a tender piece of meat with a little crisp on the skin. Paired with a delectable, slightly crunchy jasmine rice cake and a citrus-forward, orange miso glaze, this was a match made in heaven. The richness of the duck works so well with the orange of the glaze and the crunchiness of the rice and skin. We’re thinking just like pork and peaches is a winning combo, let’s add duck and orange to your dynamic duo list.

Finally, we couldn’t resist a crack at trying the Wood Grilled Pork Chop. Boy, we weren’t disappointed as the pork chop was just as tender and juicy as advertised. Simply seasoned and thick pork chop gives off a slightly charred flavor followed by a deep and rich pork flavor that is so basic, but is just one of the best flavors in the world. Must try. We got it with crunchy, earthy, and garlicy green beans that really brightened the dish! Yum.

Something we love about McCray’s Tavern East Cobb is the energy of the manager and how it permeates his team. His love for food, fine dining, seafood, and the customer experience really made this dinner special and not just for us, but for everyone that goes and eats there. Plus, we can’t wait to see what Chef Mo comes up with next, just watching their Instagram makes us hungry, and a little jealous. We’d love to try ALL of those amazing specials they show!

Woodward & Park Brunch

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/19/20

Across from Oakland Cemetery in Grant Park, restaurants, bars, and housing are popping up like wildfire and adding to the appeal of the area.  Joining long standing staple Six Feet Under, Woodward & Park like newbies Full Commission and Firepit, have infiltrated and elevated Grant Park into a must-go destination in Atlanta for both food and site seeing. At Woodward & Park everything from the fabulous cocktails to the amazingly staple breakfast fare to the divine Croque Madame Burger to unique dishes like the Shakshuka and Grits, they have to have one of the best brunches in Atlanta right now. You’ll want to write this down and save it for later. Here we go.

Sipping on a few cocktails with brunch is one of the best ways to start your weekend and depending on what you like, you can either go classic Butterfly cocktail or brunchy Roc N Rec Shooter. Starting with the Butterfly, this one had a ton of sass with a melding of gin, tonic, elderflower, lime, and butterfly pea flower. She’s a floral based cocktail that balances between the sweet and tart of the ingredients. This one we’d argue is a great summer sipper for almost any occasion, not just brunch. On the other hand, the Roc N Rec Shooter is perfect for brunching because it reminds us of breakfast itself. You can just think of it as a PBJ milkshake or even reminiscent of the childhood sandwich with a glass of milk. One part peanut butter whiskey, one part blackberry, and a splash of cream, this drink is nutty, creamy, and sweet.  And since we love unique sips, this one is a must sample on our list.

Two of the brunch dishes we chose turned out to be so dynamic and delicious, we wanted to rave about them. The most unique had to be one that we’d never seen on another brunch menu, the Mediterranean inspired Shakshuka and grits. It has so many flavors and textures with the harissa spices, tender tomatoes, eggs, and grainy yet creamy grits. It’s a plethora of spicy, sweet, creamy, crunchy, and ends savory with the runny egg.  One simple, yet amazing bowl, but make sure to mix it up well and get all the ingredients in one bite. Perfect. Something even better than this is imaginable, but we found it, the Croque Madame Burger. Starting with tender and rich meat in the middle and expanding into crunchy and crusty toast and surrounded by tons of cheese and runny egg, this burger wasn’t much to look at really. One bite and you’re in love with the meatiness, richness of the bone marrow, creamy of the cheeses, and savory gooeyness of the egg. It begins with a crunch and ends with so much savor. Our tip is to get the egg all runny and let it sink in a little to the bread. Cannot stop thinking about it!

If you go with more traditional breakfast fare, say the English Muffin Sandwich, you have to get it with the fried chicken! The English muffin made in-house had the right amount of crunch on the outside and warm bread inside! Then, the fried chicken was tender and juicy, while the breading was crispy with a slight spice. You can get it plain or with cheese and eggs. Either way, you’re in for a treat. Why don’t we finishing this off a classic mimosa?

Remember when we said to write this down? If you could have anything at Woodward & Park, what would you have? Next time for us, brisket hash for brunch and at dinner, bone marrow!