Tag Archive for: mimosa

Two Urban Licks: Brunch Edition

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/14/21

Right off the beltline in between Inman Park and Ponce City Market, Two Urban Licks is perched on a small hill with an inviting patio, amazing outdoor space, and even warmer interior. Just imagine the warm sun above and the clatter of patio diners enjoying a meal near you, then the smell of fresh food wafting from the kitchen where a wood burning oven’s fire glows ever so slightly. It’s also the perfect place to sit and watch people walk, run, or scoot on the beltline while sipping on a mimosa and feasting on everything from salmon chips to confit turkey wings, as well as brunch items like amazing brisket and eggs, a phenomenal biscuits and gravy, and flaky catfish and grits. Bring your brunch bae along for a sensational brunch adventure.

Being a destination patio on the beltline, we started out with Cool It Ginger cocktail that was served frozen with a perfect mix of pineapple and ginger for a savory, spicy balance, then finishing with booze on the back of the throat. This is an amazing patio sipper that will get you through the summer. On the other hand, we’re suckers for a good old fashioned and opted for the Up In Smoke! With a ton of citrus up front and the booze on the back of the palate, this one is a solid smoky old fashioned cocktail. Your father would approve. If cocktails aren’t your thing, they have a fantastic assortment of Mimosa flavors from traditional orange to blood orange to grapefruit. You can’t go wrong on a beautiful Sunday sitting on the patio with one of these babies.

Before we arrived, rumor had it that Two Urban Licks does some fantastic Salmon Chips. Rumor confirmed! We got the Salmon Chips and they’re so beautifully presented, almost too pretty to eat. From the crunch of the seasoned hearty potato chip to the flaky and cool salmon, the spice of the chipotle cream to the earthiness of the capers and onions, that’s one completely satisfying bite. It really has the gamut of flavors, meaty, crispy, tangy, earthy. More please. To go with our Salmon Chips, we got the spectacular Confit Turkey Wings. The second you bite into one of these you know it’s going to be special with the tender, smoky, and crunchy turkey! Then, amazing flavor explodes from the lemon pepper rub as it mixes with the creamy blue cheese sauce. This ends up being lemony, creamy, savory, and crunchy all in one bite. I didn’t share.

Moving onto the brunch dishes, we got three very different bites, but we’d highly recommend each! Starting with the Catfish and Grits, the catfish itself was perfection with the three ways it should always be served, crispy, flaky, and tender. The fish was perched on top of a concoction of creamy grits and creole seasoning that was reminiscent of N’awlins. Our pro tip is to use the lemon squeeze they give you because it elevates the flavor of the entire dish! Going from creole to barbeque with the Brisket and Eggs. This was John’s favorite bite with the rich, deep, juicy, brisket seasoned with a plethora of flavors. It is paired with a savory jus and a couple of savory runny eggs that when mixed with the brisket balanced some of the richness with some brightness and savory. Finally, my favorite dish was the Biscuits and Gravy. Imagine a large, flaky, crumbly, and buttery biscuit piled high with crispy and crunch chicken that’s tender and juicy inside. You got that picture, now introduce some eggs and top it with creamy, savory, and rich sausage gravy with hearty chunks of sausage. This is what dreams are made of with all the complexity of all the ingredients coming together. Our tip is to make sure to get every ingredient in one bite including the well-seasoned and crispy potatoes on the side. Drool.

Whatever you do, PLEASE stay for dessert because they have this Peanut Butter Pie that literally have people falling all over it to try. It’s creamy, peanut butter forward, but ends smooth on the palate. The best part is they top it with jam so you have a peanut butter and jelly vibe and these charred marshmallows that add to the sweetness! It’s so good you will want to put this on your must try list. If you don’t get ANYTHING ELSE at Two. Get this.

Next time you’re on the beltline stop by for a cool cocktail and Peanut Butter Pie at Two Urban Licks and get in a reservation for brunch. You won’t regret one bite of it.

Corner Cafe and Buckhead Bread Company

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/27/21

As we drove down Piedmont into the heart of Buckhead, it had been a few years since we visited Corner Café and Buckhead Bread Company. The hustling breakfast and brunch spot has no lack of flavor and every dish they have is out-of-this world good!  They have dishes like these ‘Bananas Fosters’ Pancakes or Chicken and Waffles that will fill your syrup craving. Or if you’re into those not so sweet items, they have some of the best benedicts in Atlanta, starting with this Smoked Salmon Benny. Warning, this will make you hungry.

Upon arrival, we quickly got the Prosecco Sunrise that’s a twist on a traditional mimosa with your typical prosecco, orange juice, but they also add grenadine. We love the refreshing and balanced flavor, as well as how pretty the sip is! Speaking of sweet, Corner Café has a sassy Banana Fosters Pancake plate that are fluffy cakes topped with a delicate whipped cream, caramelized bananas, and macadamias. We loved the mix of earthy and hefty bananas served warm and sweet mixed with the delicate pancakes and perfectly sweet syrup. Make sure to slather as much syrup on it and let it soak into the cakes, dessert for breakfast or brunch is the way to go!

John turned to me and said he really enjoyed the Chicken and Waffles. Crispy chicken with gooey cheddar cheese on top, they started out crunchy and sharp and then the waffle hits the palate for a little bit of sweet, as well as the bacon for a meatiness. The best part was the spicy chili syrup that gave the whole dish a ZING. Pro tip: dip all the bacon in the spicy syrup and you’ve got candied bacon!! These have to be one of the best chicken and waffles in the city.

Whatever you do, make sure you get the Smoked Salmon Benedict! Now, THIS is how you benny. Boasting smoked salmon atop a potato cake and smothered in egg and sauce, it almost like a lox bagel and Benedict combined into one dish! With the salty and savory salmon pairing with the savory egg, brightness of the hollandaise, and the creaminess of the potato it was one tasty number. I decided these are my absolute favorite benedict in Atlanta. These are a must try when you go to Corner Café.

As the brunch rush began to slow and we chatted with the staff, we just love how warm and inviting Corner Café is from the staff to the management and how they made our experience worth every calorie. We can’t say enough good things about this spot.

The Cigar Cellar

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/3/21

Dark stained wood lines the wall, a black piano sits in the corner, several plush leather chairs dot the floor space, as the large, elegant bar wraps around the entire room and displays all the beautiful liquor assortment perfectly. In the middle of the space, a humidor with all types of cigars illuminates the low-lit interior of The Cigar Cellar, a new cigar lounge with swanky cocktails and divine eats. On Valentine’s Day we ventured up to this new spot to check out their new brunch menu including superb Steak and Eggs, fresh French Toast launched that very day, as well as a killer Breakfast Burger, Mimosas, Bloody Marys and a fantastic signature Old Fashioned. So, let’s light up a cigar, sip on the Cellar Signature Smoked Old Fashioned, and get some stellar food. Who’s hungry?

Nothing goes as well with a freshly lit cigar than a perfectly balanced old fashioned. The Cigar Cellar’s Cellar Signature Smoked Old Fashioned is one experience cocktail to behold! Executed flawlessly, the cocktail is placed in a dome and filled with smoke and presented to the customer and the dome removed and the smoke released unveiling the beautiful old fashioned inside. Beyond the beautiful presentation, the cocktail itself is a flavor extravaganza starting sweet and boozy and ending with a light smoke finish. This is a must try! All of their glass wear and cocktails are presented well, we loved the design on the Bloody Mary glass in particular.  Stunning.

From the brunch menu, we selected the French Toast, Breakfast Burger, and Steak and Eggs. Starting with the French Toast was pretty spectacular with a slight crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. From the crunch of the nuts, the tang of the fruit, and the right amount of maple syrup, the toast had a ton of flavor all the way around. The second entrée we sampled was the Breakfast Burger with Bravas Patatas.  This delicious option has everything you’d want with a savory runny egg, hearty-cut bacon, gooey sharp cheddar cheese and double angus patties all encompassed in a toasty-buttery bun. The burger is perfectly seasoned and is a great bite! The accoutrement to the burger were the Bravas Patatas that were perfectly cooked and crisp, hearty, and warm, topped with a spicy, sweet aioli that’s amazingly good. Our pro tip is to put some of the potatoes and aioli on the burger, you’ll thank us.

Of all the bites we tried, our favorite had to be the superb Steak and Eggs. Fall-apart tender and meaty pieces of steak atop of some crunchy, sweet, spicy potatoes and grits and next to that sensationally seasoned over-medium eggs! Just imagine the meaty and tender steak mixed with the crunch of the potatoes, spiciness and sweetness of the grits and sauce, then even more taste with the addition of the runny egg to liven up the dish with some savor. Can’t stop thinking about all the flavors combined; we’d recommend getting all the ingredients together in one bite. Divine.

As we sat by the fire on the patio, we lightly chatted with a couple at a table near us and finished sipping on our drinks. This will be a Valentine’s Day to remember for sure. What do you want to try?

Atlanta Mimosa Festival 2019

Date: Saturday, September 28th

Time: 1 pm

About: The second annual Atlanta Mimosa Festival will be hosted on Saturday, September 28th and you don’t want to miss it! The event will take place from 1pm to 5 pm with advanced entry for VIP ticket holders at 12pm. The location has changed from last year and will be held at the Historic 4th Ward Skate Park. Beverages available include mimosas (with a variety of orange juice flavors from Natalie’s Juice Company), Peach Bellini’s, Bloody Mary’s, a selection of beer, wine, and cider. There will be live music from Ocean Street and our favorite DJ Q-Tip will be spinning in an A/C tent. Additionally, there will be over 10 food vendors with yummy bites available for purchase. VIP tickets include all drinks, early entry at 12pm, brunch bites in the VIP Tent, separate bars and restrooms. VIP tickets are $79 in advancee. No day-of event tickets will be available for VIP. Bottomless Drinks tickets include all beverages; food will cost extra. Bottomless Drinks are $50 in advance and $60 day-of.

More Information:

https://www.bigtickets.com/events/atlantabeerfestivals/atlanta-mimosa-festival/

2ND ANNUAL ATLANTA MIMOSA FESTIVAL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/5/19

Historic 4th Ward Skate Park

Saturday, September 28th at 1 pm (VIP at Noon)

The second annual Atlanta Mimosa Festival will be hosted on Saturday, September 28th and you don’t want to miss it! The event will take place from 1pm to 5 pm with advanced entry for VIP ticket holders at 12pm. The location has changed from last year and will be held at the Historic 4th Ward Skate Park. Beverages available include mimosas (with a variety of orange juice flavors from Natalie’s Juice Company), Peach Bellini’s, Bloody Mary’s, a selection of beer, wine, and cider. There will be live music from Ocean Street and our favorite DJ Q-Tip will be spinning in an A/C tent. Additionally, there will be over 10 food vendors with yummy bites available for purchase.

VIP tickets include all drinks, early entry at 12pm, brunch bites in the VIP Tent, separate bars and restrooms. VIP tickets are $69 in advance and $79 after Sept 19th. No day-of event tickets will be available for VIP. Bottomless Drinks tickets include all beverages; food will cost extra. Bottomless Drinks are $45 in advance, $50 after Sept 19th, and $60 day-of.

More details here: http://atlantamimosafestival.com/

Bistro Off Broad: Big City Eats with Small Town Charm

A short walk from the downtown Courthouse in Winder is a small bistro that has big city eats, nestled in a charming small town. It’s worth the drive from Atlanta to peruse the windows of the small shops and stop in for Brunch at Bistro Off Broad. Great cocktails and sparklers, as well as delicious appetizers and hearty brunch items. Get your fork out, it’s time to take a food adventure with us.

The long bar invites you into Bistro off Broad and they have a serious wine, beer, and cocktail list, along with specialty brunch drinks. Focusing on brunch, we sampled the bottomless sparklers that included four unique mimosas and Bellinis. Get. This. When. You. Go. They were all worth a sip and it was so tough to pick one to feature, so decided to feature them all. Starting with the Raspberry Bellini, it was simply raspberry puree and sparkling prosecco that was refreshing and sweet. The Peach Bellini also combined a peach puree with the sparkling prosecco, but it turned out more tart forward and brought out the tart in the wine. In between the sweet of the two Bellinis were the Mimosa and the Poinsettia. The Mimosa had a good mix of orange juice and brut champagne, not too sweet, not too tart. The Poinsettia incorporated cranberry and brut champagne, as well, but the brut brought out the sweet of the cranberry, so it was more balanced. Take your pick, you won’t go wrong.

Once you move from the bar into the dining room, gorgeous chandeliers hang strategically over each table. They were the first thing we noticed! The second thing we noticed was the full brunch menu full of delicious eats like fresh salads, benedicts, hashes, biscuits and gravy, and everything you can think of you’d ever want for brunch. We opted for several dishes, apps, and sides including deviled eggs, wings, corned beef hash, farmer’s scramble, and Brussel sprouts.

For the apps, the wings were beautifully stacked and looked almost too pretty to dig into. You wouldn’t be disappointed though when you did because they were sweet, salty, fall off the bone good. With a sticky, spicy Asian sauce then slightly charred they had the right amount of sauce and meat. Followed that up by the Reuben Deviled Eggs that were some of the best we’ve had in all of Atlanta.  These beauties were delicately whipped savory egg filling topped with tangy onion and a meaty piece of corned beef. Underneath is a tart and tangy ground mustard that gives it a flavor pop at the end.

For the entrees, the corned beef hash combined real thick cut-corned beef, roasted potatoes, onions and peppers, topped by a runny egg. It was savory, sweet, decadent, salty, and we could go on! If you’re looking for a healthy option, may we suggest the farmer’s scramble with mushroom, corn, green beans, and scrambled eggs. Let’s not leave out the Brussel sprouts side. This is something that we always get because it’s a good food to add brightness and crunch to a meal and we could eat them every day. These were very good with the right amount of crunch, along with a smoky, onion, and savory bacon flavor. It was the right combination of flavors that we wouldn’t add anything to it! They do offer it with a sauce, but it was really good even with out it.

With that we’re throwing in the towel! Stuffed and happy. Isn’t that how all Brunch should end?

Black Walnut Cafe: Fine Dining in a Fast-Casual Setting (Atlanta Locations Closed)

Black Walnut Café out of Houston, TX, has opened in Atlanta, settling near all the action in Peachtree Corners and Alpharetta. This café has a lounge where you can sit and chat with your friends, a bar where you can grab a drink and an appetizer, or you can order at the counter and sit in the dining room. Opting for the bar at the Peachtree Corners location, we got several delicious fast-casual dishes that ate like fine dining. From the Salmon to the Shrimp and Grits, as well as the hand-made cocktails, Black Walnut Café really does fine dining in a fast-casual setting.

We sampled the BWC Grand Mimosa and the Ginger Peach Lemonade. The mimosa was a good balance of champagne, orange juice, and Gran Marnier, while the Ginger Peach Lemonade mixed the sweet peach syrup, fresh sliced peaches, and tangy ginger. Both drinks were tasty! Fun fact: the bar tenders hand squeezed the juice themselves!

As far as the main entrees, the salmon was cooked perfectly to a silky quality that melted in your mouth. Contrasted to the smooth fish was the sweet and savory of the honey ginger sauce that was deep and tangy. You combine that with the crunch of the peppers and snap peas rounded out the dish with some brightness and depth! Along with the fish, we had the Shrimp and Grits that was perfectly seasoned with the right amount of spice to offset the creaminess of the grits. On top of that, the grits could have stood on their own with the addition of savory bacon and crunchy scallions. Both great dishes all the way around.

Yum.

2019 Roswell Mimosa Festival

Date: Saturday, May 18th

Time: 1 pm

About: The 1st annual Roswell Mimosa Fest will be held on Saturday, May 18th from 1 to 5pm. We will have plenty of mimosas, various flavors of OJ for different mimosa options, Bloody Mary’s, Brunch Punch, as well as a selection of beer and wine. There will be live music, an air conditioned DJ tent, plenty of fun and games, and food will be available for purchase. Tickets are now on sale for $45; they increase to $50 after May 9th and $60 at the gate. Sales tax and ticket fees will be added.

More Information:

https://www.bigtickets.com/events/atlantabeerfestivals/roswell-mimosa-fest/