Tag Archive for: detour

HOBNOB Perimeter: Come for the Game, Stay for the food.

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/8/20

Hobnob is a verb meaning to drink sociably or to associate familiarly. From drinks that get you talking to dishes with southern flare, HOBNOB is a good mix of hearty food, fun cocktails, and everything in between. It’s a place you’ll grab a cocktail and eat some good food. Their claim of refined tavern fare with southern flare and that is spot on, with everything from Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders, chicken wings, comfort food like sweet potato mash paired with salmon, as well as desserts, their food will have you coming back for more. Who doesn’t love a go-to place for the game and grub or for an intimate date night? Tip: go on Thursday for their Thirsty Thursday: $3 champagne or $5 wine!

Starting with the sky-blue vodka cocktail, The Earhart, is a light and breezy drink that reminds you of a clear sky on a beautiful sunny day. This easy to drink sipper is a combo of hibiscus vodka, fresh squeezed lemon, and maraschino liquor that’s sweet on the nose, but finishes smooth and serene. You’ll definitely feel fancy with this pretty cocktail in front of you! Cheers!

Being a restaurant where you can catch the game, what’s better than some fun, sharable apps that please everyone at your table? Let’s start with the two types of wings and the Nashville Hot Chicken Slides we sampled. From the perfectly crisped chicken, to the coolness of the cole slaw, to the spiciness of the sauce, the Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders were one of those dishes you may not want to share. The cole slaw calmed some of the spiciness and the addition of the crunchy pickle really brought out the flavor of the entire dish. Make sure you get all elements in one bite and you’ll get spicy, salty, creamy, and crunchy. We were impressed with the unique wing flavors that Hobnob has to offer, like coke-yaki that was a sweeter take on teriyaki to honey sriracha that was spicy and sweet. Those are the two we got, and they were both delicious additions to favorites like lemon pepper or buffalo. The wings were meaty and cooked right with the right amount of sauce. Let me tell you that honey sriracha with blue cheese was a delicious overall combo. John loves teriyaki and really loved the coke-yaki combination of coca-cola and soy! Both are great choices for watching a United match or your favorite football team.

Beyond the bar food, they also have some delicious entrees for that special date night! They have a range of dishes, but we just had to sample the Tavern Salmon! What a delicious meal, the salmon was perfectly cooked, while the brussel sprouts were perfectly crisped under the salmon and paired with a sweet and salty sweet potato mash. Hobnob touts that its tavern fare with southern flare and this is case and point. Just imagine a wonderful salmon dish with the right amount of salt, sweet, and crispiness and then top it with a honey mustard and you’ve got a showstopper. The honey mustard really gives it a tartness and elevates all the flavors when you mix them all up together. We will be back for another one of these!

When you go for your special date night and try the Tavern Salmon, you should also spring for dessert. We tried the lava cake, which was everything you’d imagine from a rich, chocolate dessert with ice cream. Creamy, tons of chocolate flavor, a perfect pairing with the vanilla ice cream. Divine. They also have specialties that they make in house like cobbler. It’s the perfect ending.

Carson Kitchen: Food So Good, You’ll Swear By It.

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/3/20

Carson Kitchen, the newest edition to City Center in Alpharetta, feels homey with the open-air kitchen, delivers soulful and sinfully good food, as well as thoughtful, elevated cocktails. Every single thing we tried on their menu was top notch, from the scrumptious bacon jam, to the divine deviled eggs, to the best #$%@ black rice and oxtail risotto, the tender and perfect NY Strip, and let’s not forget the How ‘Bout Dem Apples delightful cocktail. Food so good, you’ll swear by it. Trust us, you’ll let one slip. Get ready to pay the swear jar (more on that later). Fantastic food adventures ahead, enjoy the ride.

Sips like the How ‘Bout Dem Apples cocktail reminds us of the holidays. With it’s apple and all-spice forward flavor to the sweetness and smoothness on the back, it’s an all-around delicious drink. You’d forget it had whiskey in it if we didn’t mention it. They had a ton of options from tequila, gin, vodka and so many other variations, plus they have a sangria that looks tasty too. We’ll have to try more.

Then, we started the sampling with a few of the appetizers like the bacon jam, deviled eggs, and crispy chicken skins, but the best appetizer by far was the bacon jam. Imagine savory, crunchy bacon ground up and mixed with jalapeno and brown sugar and topped with melted Havarti. It reminded us of candied bacon in a bowl. This is the appropriate place to insert the mind blown emoji. It was rich, decadent, savory, sweet, spicy, and creamy all in one dip. We can’t say enough about this dish, it is an absolute must try. We WILL be back for more. In addition to the bacon jam, we had the crispy chicken skins. It was spicy, crispy, and perfectly paired with sweet honey for dipping. We got a fun tip, to dip the skins IN the bacon jam. How’d they do that? Amazing way to mix and match dishes! Another delicious bite was the deviled eggs, which were topped with salty caviar and fried prosciutto. This little number was tangy and rich with savory yolk, sour cream, and mayonnaise mixed with the right amount of salt from the caviar and fried prosciutto. Eat the whole thing at once, stuff it all in there, it’s the best balance of flavors!

If you thought the bacon jam was amazing, you must try the black rice and oxtail risotto. This dish was the best bite of the night with al dente cooked black rice and risotto, pulled oxtail and a sauce that was both savory and rich. The oxtail itself is like a pulled pork but even deeper and slightly saltier, but that’s a good thing here. Plus, this dish is impeccably plated in a bowl that looks dainty but eats like a meal. It’s every flavor on earth and is breathtaking, but what’s even better is it’s unexpected. It sounds like it would be good, but who knew this would be one of the best dishes we would have all winter? Get. This. Dish. You’re welcome.

The flavor train continues with the cocoa-espresso NY Strip. This sassy dish is one of those steaks that’s thisclose to perfection. The rub is earthy and rich with a slight chocolate flavor that mixes with the savory of the meat. Even better was the demi glaze that was literally cooked with the oxtail bone in it, so it explains the depth of the glaze. It was tangy and slightly fruity to enhance the flavor of the meat and rub. Don’t get us started on the tenderness, either. All the elements have us wondering, “where have you been all our lives?” Pairing this with the brussel sprout salad for a little cream and little green, what a delicious meal.

Have you ever had a meal so good and so overall complete that you just couldn’t help but let a little swear word slip? This is it. And yes, they have a swear jar on the kitchen bar! They say their food is so good that you will swear when you eat it and if you do, you’ll have to throw in some money. We may have lost a $20. That money is the kitchen staff’s shared bonus at the end of the year. We dig it.

Urban Pie Atlanta: Brunch Spotlight: Amy Lane Has Impeccable Taste

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/18/20

Recently, Urban Pie Atlanta in Kirkwood announced that they are going to tackle Saturday brunch. With a nice array of brunch pizzas, vegan options, quiche cups, potatoes, jalapeno bacon and everything in between, we took a trip to the heart of Kirkwood to try their Saturday brunch. We sampled the unforgettable Amy Lane’s Favorite, the bacon and broccoli quiche cup, and some delicious jalapeno bacon. Who’s ready to find out more?

On the breakfast pizza menu are a ton of unique and wonderful options, everything from Avocado Flatbread for Vegans, Low Voltage with egg, chicken, and bacon, as well as other fun toppings like jalapeno bacon, goat cheese, prosciutto, and even sunny-side eggs. We opted for the Amy Lane’s Favorite, who has impeccable taste we must say. This dish boasts of salmon (lox), capers, red onion, cream cheese, olive oil base on a crisp crust, plus topped with arugula. How much can you love a pizza? This is one of the best ones we’ve ever had like a sweet, creamy, salty bagel with a crispy crunchy crust! Not too much cream cheese, the salty and savory of the salmon paired perfectly with the crunch, tart and earthiness of the capers, and finishes with the crunch of the crust. Just. Like. A. Bagel but on steroids!

From there we also tried the quiche cup that comes with potatoes mixed with onions and peppers. What we found fun about these were that they cook them in cake cups, so they come out looking like cupcakes. You really can mix and match any flavor you want. They have broccoli and bacon or spinach and tomato, but you can add any ingredient like onion or peppers or cheese. We tried the bacon and spinach and added a miracle topping: jalapeno bacon. It was perfectly cooked, crispy, with a slight spice on the end. The perfect mix of smoky, savory, and spice. A must get!

They also have a ton of vegan options including the Avocado Flatbread that has Avocado, tomatos, onions, and fresh jalapenos, as well as vegan pancakes with vegan butter! So, if you’re looking for a non-traditional Saturday brunch filled with bagel pizza and jalapeno bacon, we found the place for you: Urban Pie Atlanta in Kirkwood.

The Family Dog: A Very Good Dog!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/16/20

The Family Dog in Morningside’s slogan is sit, stay, relax. That’s exactly what you experience when you walk through the doors: sit for a tasty cocktail, stay for the Brussel sprouts and chicken and waffles, relax to the live music. They have fun pub vibes mixed with unique cocktails and serious eats. Are you ready to find out why TFD is a very good dog?

Upon arrival we sat for a tasty cocktail. We tried two of them: The Gardner and Cool Heat. The prettiest of the two, the Cool Heat was everything you think it would be from the name: jalapeno tequila is both savory and spicy, combined with cool lime, agave, and grapefruit. It was spicy on the throat, but not overbearing and was citrusy, sweet, and the grapefruit pairs well with the spice of the jalapeno and gives it a depth. It’s the most unique drink we’ve tried in a while and we dig it. The other cocktail, the Gardner was a good, summer sipper, refreshing and light, with gin and cucumber then tart on the end. One of those cocktails you could drink a few of on your front porch and watch the fireflies dance in the night air.

We stayed for several of the shareable eats like the chicken caprese flat bread, Brussel sprouts, and buffalo cauliflower. From wings without the wings, bacon-loaded sprouts, to an Italian flatbread classic, everything was on point at The Family Dog. We really enjoyed each of these apps and almost can’t decide which was our favorite. Starting with the chicken caprese flatbread, it was an Italian classic dish in flatbread form with tender chicken, mozzarella dollops, and earthy tomatoes. Topped with balsamic glaze, it was a delicious bite, something you can share with a friend or horde all to yourself. We with the latter! Have you ever had something that ate like a chicken wing without the actual “wing?” That’s what the buffalo cauliflower was with tasty buffalo sauce, perfectly fried cauliflower and blue cheese dressing. It was surprisingly good and satisfied that wing craving. If you dig down to the bottom, you’ll find even saucier bites, we recommend you do that and dip it in blue cheese. All the feels. Finally, let’s not forget the Brussel sprouts. From crispy to savory to sweet, some of the best Brussel dish we’ve had in a while! They’ll smack you in the mouth with bacon, which is always welcome, and follow up with crispy, leafy greens, sweet balsamic, and slight salt. So good we call it Brussel love!

We don’t discriminate when it comes to breakfast for dinner and the chicken and waffles hit that spot! The flaky and sweet waffle topped with some seriously good chicken tenders, drizzled in syrup, topped with whipped cream and tart strawberries. Are you hungry yet? We took the waffle, chicken tender, some whipped cream, strawberries, and syrup and rolled it all up into one bite. Insert mind blown emoji here. One of the sides we had we want to talk about, truffle cauliflower mash. Wowza! If you wouldn’t have told us it was cauliflower you wouldn’t have known. Just. Like. Potatoes. It was blended well, creamy, the right amount of salt, and of course the truffle was so deep and rich that it’s delectable. Couldn’t stop eating it!

Plus, they have live music on Thursdays, so we relaxed to the sounds as we sipped and ate our way through The Family Dog menu. If you’re looking for some good food, cocktails, and music, you should visit TFD. It’s a seriously good dog.

Ocean Wave: Mind Blowing Sushi

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/3/20

Down in the middle of the Virginia Highlands, Ocean Wave has got to be one of THE sushi destinations in all of Atlanta. From the moment you enter the building, twinkle lights greet you and the sound of drinks being shaken behind the bar. They have top-shelf cocktails, delicious sushi, tons of fried rice and entrees, as well as a good selection of appetizers, so let’s dive into some of those Yummi dishes and cocktails. Full steam food adventure ahead!

We’re not monkeying around about the superior cocktails at Ocean Wave! We sipped and loved the Monkey Business Martini that combined vodka, coconut rum, pineapple and cranberry. We declared it’s a tiki party in your mouth, boozy up front, then smoothing out into a frothy, sweet tiki drink on the backend. It was a great balance of flavors that’s easy to drink any time of year, but we can imagine sitting on the beach under the shadow of an umbrella, drink in hand. A light breeze through our hair, can you feel it?

We will get to the sushi in a moment, but we sampled a few other good dishes that included the Satay Chicken, KA Proud Lamb, and something we’ve NEVER tried before, Spicy Spaghetti. First, the Satay Chicken was very tender, and the peanut sauce and cucumber salad were a great pairing, especially the salad. It was sweet and went well with the savory of the chicken. A good bite! From there we tried the Spicy Spaghetti, which mimics a traditional spaghetti with a Thai flare. We’ve never had anything like it! Spicy, savory, and deep from the spice of the Thai chili sauce, tender chicken, and super juicy tomatoes. Maybe more of spaghetti on steroids? Yeah, that sounds about right. Super good!

The best of the entrees was the Ka Proud Lamb. The sauce was DELECTIBLE with a slight spice up front and rich deep flavor on the back that went perfect with the mushrooms and vegetables in the sauce. The lamb was tender and smoky with a delicate char. The fried rice was perfect with the sauce and lamb. What a great bite when all combined! Plus, we had a little fun with our food. We put the sauce from the lamb on the Spicy Spaghetti. Pretty tasty, we must say.

We tried two different rolls, the Dancing Dragon and the Yummi Yummi. Dancing Dragon was a good balance of sweet and spicy with tempura on the inside and eel and avocado on the outside. The variation between the eel, which was sweet, and the creamy avocado, were a great one-two punch of flavor. Add wasabi and soy sauce, it brings out the flavor of both! Even though this roll was super good, nothing could compare to the Yummi Yummi. A Trio of fresh yellow tail, tuna, salmon stuffed with cream cheese and flash fried in a moat of delicious soy-based sauce. From the creaminess of the cream cheese mixed with the salty and freshness of the fish to the crunch of the fried rice, it was one dynamic bite. What made it even better? Wababi and soy sauce. Mouth dropped to the floor, was that really possible? WOW! Yummi is definitely one way to describe it. Mind blowing is another.

A special shout-out to our waitress who was a gracious hand-model, menu master, and willing food carrier to better light. She was top-notch! That’s the kind of service you’ll get at Ocean Wave. As you leave, the twinkling of the lights follows you down the street and you’ll dream about sushi for a few nights after.

Lily White: THE New Buckhead Hot Spot!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/26/19

From the moment you enter Lily White in Buckhead you get a Miami vibe with the pops of neon, pristine marble, and sleek design. With stunning and tasty signature cocktails, good service, stellar food, and a parking lot on property, they could quickly become THE hot spot in Buckhead! It’s time to join us for our food adventure filled with lamb, kabobs, hummus, beats, and more.

Starting with the cocktails, we sampled two fun cocktails called Yalda and Hydration. The Yalda with Grey Goose Vodka, pomegranate, and pineapple was hands down our favorite with a creamy, frothy, smooth sip up front and tart and crisp on the finish. It’s one of those cocktails you can have any time of year and a real crowd pleaser. We’ll be back for it! The other cocktail, Hydration, was good, as well with gin, cucumber, St. Germain, mint, and more. This boozy beauty is one pretty lady and you feel high class when you hold the rose gold cup. From the booze and tart up front cools on the end with cucumber and mint. It would be a good summer sipper to pair with a light salad! Next time, we’re in for the Saint-Tropez.

Diving into the Mazze, we picked the wings, beet salad, and spread sampler that included hummus, tzatziki, labneh, and Mirza Ghasemi. Starting with the beet salad, if you don’t know much about us, one thing you need to know is we love beets. Restaurants don’t include beets enough in their fare, and we applaud Lily White for including a beet starter! This one was earthy with the tart and salty of the balsamic paired well with a little bit of crunch and sweet of the candied walnuts and the cream of the goat cheese. We were impressed how well the beets and goat cheese went together. Beyond the lightness of the salad, the wings were the right amount of meat, crunch and sauce. The sauce was sweet with a slight sauce of the harissa, a solid wing dish! Finally, the spread sampler is a must-get. The hummus is some of the best we’ve ever had, and we eat A LOT of hummus. With just the right amount of salt, garlic and herbs, it’s a perfect hummus bite you can eat with a spoon! Another stunner was Mirza Ghasemi, which we’d never had and now we know we love it. From the smoky eggplant that perfectly paired with the tomato and garlic, served warm, went great with the bread and veggies. Beyond that we’d recommend mixing all four dips together for one glorious bite piled high on a piece of crunchy pita. That’s the ticket.

Moving on to a selection that was cooked on an open flame, the Chicken Kabobs could have been boring, but this was anything like that! Juicy, well-seasoned, and perfectly grilled, it’s delicious! Paired with a charred and grilled tomato topped with oil and herbs to the cranberry in the rice, it’s a good meal and come hungry, you could split it!

Recommended by our waitress, the lamb shank was TO DIE FOR. There isn’t one thing we would change about this dish. The lamb is marinated and cooked for hours and literally falls off the bone. The herbs, rich, and savory in the sauce to the pop of the couscous, to the Israeli raisins that give it a tart and sweet ending, it’s one of those bites you close your eyes and just savor. Pro tip: Take the meat off the bone then mix it with all the other elements on the plate. PERFECTION. Also, I re-heated it for lunch the next day, it was still unbelievable!

Did we mention that Lily White has its own parking lot it shares with the other businesses in the complex? So, weeknights and some non-busy weekends, you can come, park, eat and not have to worry about getting side-swiped or your meter running out. We all know Buckhead can be a challenge for parking. Win-win. We can’t wait to go back and try the Seabass and Salmon. Are you in to join us?

UniTea & Coffee at 640 West: Welcome to Veganville!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/19/20

With UniTea & Coffee at 640 West, Tassili Raw Reality Cafe, Slutty Vegan, and Soul, West End is THE destination for Vegan-centric cuisine in all of Atlanta. Could we just call it Veganville? On the upswing around Atlanta, Vegan options are a healthy alternative to high fat and calorie alternatives with the introduction of products like Just Eggs made of mung bean (legume family) and tapioca or meatless bacon (bean base, as well). Plus, they’re so tasty, you won’t miss the real thing. Vegans DO NOT skimp on flavor; we are here to change your mind on that! Get ready! UniTea & Coffee at 640 West is serving high-end, top notch, delicious Vegan versions of burritos, avocado toast, to their signature dish McVegan. Let’s see what we found on our Vegan adventure.

Starting this the Avocado Toast, generous helpings of fresh-made avocado topped on top of rye bread is a vegan-protein rich, simple dish that is creamy up front with the tang of onion and balsamic in the middle with earthiness of the rye on back. Typically, not big on rye bread, the addition of avocado pairs well with it and actually adds to the enjoyment of the dish. Following this light brunch staple is the Fiesta Burrito. A mix of Just Egg’s savory, hard polenta-like consistency with a mung bean crispy bacon, paprika mushroom, pico de gallo, sriracha sauce aioli, all wrapped up in a delicious shell. As one bite, it’s one of the best breakfast burritos in all the city, real egg or not. Spicy, savory, sweet, yum.

Who doesn’t love a good egg, sausage or bacon sandwich on English muffin? Enter the McVegan! From the made in house vegan egg to the Mung Bean Bacon, the salty and tart of the kale salad, crunchy and toasted Vegan English Muffin and the best garlic aioli we’ve had in a very long time round out this outstanding Vegan dish. Elevated breakfast sandwich at it’s best, easily the best thing at UniTea & Coffee at 640 West. It’s well-balanced between the sweet, savory, salty and you add that garlic aioli on the end just accentuates it all. Wowza! Insert heart eye emoji here.

Beyond the delicious fare, Chef Deuce is making awesome, home-made aiolis in house that accentuate the vegan fare at UniTea. Plus, did you know they decorate their dishes with edible flowers from the cucumber family? You can eat EVERYTHING on the plate. UniTea & Coffee at 640 West recently had a grand re-opening and now is serving their delicious hot vegan breakfast all day until 6pm. On top of the vegan breakfast, they pride themselves on bettering the community through good food, a place for the community gather, live music/events, and more. Chef Deuce is out of LA and originally was over at their sister restaurant, Tassili’s Raw Reality Cafe. He is a gracious and warm host and we can’t wait to see where he goes in Atlanta!

Der Biergarten: Gluhwein and a Side of Sauerkraut

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/16/19

Move over hot sauce, there’s a new elevated condiment in town, Sauerkraut! We made our way downtown to visit Der Biergarten to taste their German-centric fare and sip on their holiday cocktails. From affordable and delicious meat and cheese plates (Gemischte Wurst Und Käseplatte) to a perfectly cooked pork shank (Schweinshaxe) to something we never knew we loved, Sauerkraut, as well as a hot holiday drink tradition Glühwein, Der Biergarten is an immersive German experience in the heart of Atlanta. Ready for an adventure?

Starting with the sips, being during the holidays, they had everything form a spicy cocoa, red beer in a take-home boot, and our favorite find of the night: Glühwein. This traditional winter and holiday drink from Germany that drinks like a hot Sangria, a mix of red wine and spices. It was warm on the cold night and totally different than anything we’ve had before, with the savory, sweet of the red wine and earthiness of the clove spice on the back end. It doesn’t sound like something we’d ever like but surprised us! Along with a great selection of German bier, wine, and fun cocktails, try something new!

Who doesn’t like a good meat and cheese plate? This one was chocked full of jaeger, which is a German dry-aged traditional sausage, hard cheeses, plus a lot of bread to pair it with. We felt this was a REALLY good deal for the price and John decided this was one of the best meat and cheese plates in the city. He knows; he’s a charcuterie fanatic. Also enjoyed the pretzel (Risenbretzel) which was buttery, salty, warm, and hearty. Make sure to use the mustards they bring, as well. Go sweet the with the Bavarian Mustard or spicy with the spicy Mustard. Either way, a good tasty bite.

Then there’s the pork shank. The way it was cooked, rotisserie style with skin on, locks in the flavor and tenderness of the meat, while interesting mix of spices like clove and an herb that taste of licorice, give the crust a rich, unique flavor. Mix it with the savory au jus and the side of sauerkraut. That hits the spot. Speaking of the sauerkraut, not typically a favorite, this was the best we’ve ever found with that typical sour vinegar flavor on the back but hidden for most of the bite by the utilization of bacon. Yes, bacon! It’s savory and sour and a good accoutrement to the savory of the pork. Insert mind blown emoji here.

Are you hungry yet? We are! Meet us down at Der Biergarten!

The Rink at Park Tavern: Sushi, Sip, Skate, Repeat.

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/7/19

When you walk into Park Tavern, you’re instantly transported to a winter wonderland, a crisp, and cool nip in the air, and even though the holidays may be over, the sipping and skating are not! It’s open until Monday, January 20th! We recently went down for a special event to showcase the food, the drinks, and the fun that The Rink at Park Tavern has to offer. It’s one of those places that you can sit by the fire, enjoy a spiked cocoa, a crisp Bubly vodka concoction, and some delicious sushi then head over to the ice rink and take a spin! Here’s a few photos and a small recap below on more about the Rink and the event we went to recently!

A special evening celebrating the holiday season, this exclusive Skate, Sip, and Snack VIP event took place in Park Tavern’s enchanted Neo-Victorian setting that’s adorned with charming holiday decor.  Guests enjoyed complimentary signature cocktails, delicious fare, and cooked s’mores over the fire pits while taking in unobstructed views of Piedmont Park and the Midtown skyline.  Adventurous guests also hit the hit the ice at The Rink at Park Tavern powered by Bubly – making for a fun-filled evening with new and old friends.

The Rink at Park Tavern is open Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. to midnight and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Guests of all ages can enjoy skating experiences for $15 Monday through Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday until 8 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., The Rink becomes an ages 16 and up venue until midnight.  Skaters that dress up in Steampunk attire for ‘Skate After 8 p.m.’, will get to skate for free.  The Rink is also available for private skating lessons, parties, marriage proposals and more.  To make reservations and for the most up to date event calendar, specialty packages, and venue rental information, visit www.parktavern.com.

Firepit Pizza Tavern: Perfectly Seasoned

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/15/19

With a slice of pie, a dusting of unicorn seasoning, and a handcrafted My Little Pony Punch, Firepit Pizza Tavern is the perfect combo of corner pizza place, wing stop, and local watering hole. Located in the Larkin on Memorial complex in walking distance to Grant Park staple, Six Feet Under, the blossoming Memorial Drive area now has a must-go-to pizza joint with unique wing offerings, every pizza topping imaginable, and fun cocktails. Let’s take an adventure into a few of their menu highlights.

Starting with small bites like the Pork Belly Toast and Unicorn Wings, you may not want to share, so get each FOR YOURSELF. You’ve been warned. The Pork Belly Toast was a blend of savory and salty pork belly, crunchy toast, creamy feta, earthy basil, and sweet tomato jam. Every type of flavor you can pack in, it had. They actually flash fry their pork belly after it was braised overnight in beer and unicorn seasoning for extra flavor and crunch. So many flavors, but you must love sweet. Tip make sure to get all ingredients in one bite.

If you’re looking for some more traditional, don’t go for the Unicorn Wings. This is some of the best seasoning you’ll ever have, and it is a complex medley of lemon pepper, sugar, salt, an entire pantry of seasonings, and secret spices that they wouldn’t share with us. Their chicken for the wings is a two-step cooking process of blanching then frying. Worth the wait. Again, get some for yourself because you won’t want to share.

When it comes to pizza, you can always judge it by if you must add salt, garlic salt, or parmesan on top to enhance the flavor. Not needed at all here. This pizza is delicious, perfectly seasoned from sourdough bread to creamy cheese to wonderfully balanced sauce. Speaking about the sauce, it was slightly spicy with red pepper flakes and raw garlic that gave it depth. Plus, they have some of the best sausage topping we’ve ever had; it seemed fresh sliced! A secret to their delectable dough comes from it being made fresh in house every day, plus they age it for 3 days! Perfecto!

Beyond your traditional pizza fare, they have some tasty handhelds like the Salmon BLT. They slather it in garlic oil and cook it on the flat top to crisp up the tender salmon and to give it more flavor. They top it with savory bacon, creamy aioli, and add capers right to the bottom bun to give it extra tart. Great combo of flavors. We paired it with their Brussel sprouts which married crispy sprouts with bacon and blue cheese and charred for balance. The blue cheese and bacon combo really enhanced these sprouts. Was a great overall meal you could have for a quick lunch or dinner!

Let’s not forget the My Little Pony Punch. Surprisingly tart and refreshing, you’ll never believe it has Gin in it! What really makes this little cocktail pop is the sparkling wine and cranberry. This would really be a great summer cocktail by the pool.

Now that you’re ready to go to Firepit Pizza Tavern, save us a spot and get us a set of those Unicorn Wings!