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Atlanta Casual Dining - Downtown
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  • Atlanta Casual Dining - Downtown

    Post #1 - February 6th, 2006, 2:32 pm
    Post #1 - February 6th, 2006, 2:32 pm Post #1 - February 6th, 2006, 2:32 pm
    Hiya!

    I'll be heading to Atlanta on Sunday to accompany my ladylove to a conference for a few days. I did a little hunting here and found some fine dining suggestions from a previous thread, but didn't see much in the way of casual or cheap eats.

    We'll be in the heart of downtown, probably without a car, and looking for both dinner and lunch spots. But if there's something that we just have to have, we'll hop in a cab and go somewhere. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
  • Post #2 - February 6th, 2006, 6:27 pm
    Post #2 - February 6th, 2006, 6:27 pm Post #2 - February 6th, 2006, 6:27 pm
    I've got to tell you that Downtown Atlanta is the most disappointing central core, eat-wise, I've ever been to. After 3 conferences there in 5 yrs or so, it finally occurred to me that the place had been (re)developed with the idea in mind that on-foot tourists were going to be confined to certain venues, end of story. If you're going to be in Peachtree Center--and I'd bet you will be--you won't have much choice.

    There's some Good Eats in ATL; but you've got to have wheels--yours or some taxi company's--to get there.

    An economist friend of mine, who studied the situation after encountering the same problem I had, said that there's two causes of the fact that street-level ATL confronts one with mostly concrete walls, i.e., no urban cityscape. First, and foremost, they don't want any undesirables hanging around (just check out the ominous warnings about loitering afixed everywhere); secondly, you're to eat in approved venues only.

    I've got to admit, there's no place in this country that frustrated (and angered) me more than ATL.

    Sorry for the r & r...

    Geo
    Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick! :)
  • Post #3 - February 6th, 2006, 8:33 pm
    Post #3 - February 6th, 2006, 8:33 pm Post #3 - February 6th, 2006, 8:33 pm
    I went there about 5 years ago. Flying Biscuit in Candler Park did indeed have damn good biscuits and breakfast generally, though it's the sort of place that, five minutes after it opened, people were saying it's not what it used to be, totally commercialized now.

    I searched for good BBQ and most things I found in books or online seemed to be closed and I had to hunt up another place in the vicinity. As a result, I had okay BBQ, but never great BBQ, and can't remember any of the places I had it in. There, I know that was really helpful.
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  • Post #4 - February 6th, 2006, 8:50 pm
    Post #4 - February 6th, 2006, 8:50 pm Post #4 - February 6th, 2006, 8:50 pm
    Well, come to think of it, I suppose you could always go to Gladys Knight's place. The chicken is ok, the greens are quite good, and... waffles? Too much salt, tho'. And some folks complained about really long waits, which we didn't experience at 2:30 of a Thurs. afternoon. You can walk there from Peachtree Ctr, but don't you dare loiter at the little park or two along the way.

    Geo


    Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles
    529 Peachtree Street NE,
    Atlanta, GA 30308-2228
    Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick! :)
  • Post #5 - February 6th, 2006, 9:26 pm
    Post #5 - February 6th, 2006, 9:26 pm Post #5 - February 6th, 2006, 9:26 pm
    Weeeelll, it sounds like I'll be having an exciting few days while my sweetheart is busy at the conference. But as long as I'm going to be bored to tears, I suppose it's good to know that I'll be legally obligated to continue walking in circles.

    The effort is greatly appreciated, even if the city in question doesn't lend itself to many options... thanks, folks :-)
  • Post #6 - February 6th, 2006, 10:10 pm
    Post #6 - February 6th, 2006, 10:10 pm Post #6 - February 6th, 2006, 10:10 pm
    Dmnkly says "But as long as I'm going to be bored to tears,"

    heh-heh, I got *really* lucky last time I was there, a couple of yrs ago, when TODG had a conference at PCtr. That Saddie was Notre Dame-USC on the tele. Yee-hah.

    Actually, as memory returns, there's a decent (but only decent) Thai place w/in 5 mins of the Center.

    I'm just sitting here, shaking my head, thinking about the year AFTER the ATL conference: we were in Milwaukee. Jeeeez, what a difference!! Man, that tv never got turned on, not even once.

    But there ARE good eats there in ATL, you just have to travel. However, do not, under any circumstance, think that Underground Atlanta is anything but synthetic.*

    Geo

    *Proviso: it was 3 Autumns ago, so maybe some things have changed.
    Sooo, you like wine and are looking for something good to read? Maybe *this* will do the trick! :)
  • Post #7 - February 6th, 2006, 11:10 pm
    Post #7 - February 6th, 2006, 11:10 pm Post #7 - February 6th, 2006, 11:10 pm
    I used to live in ATL and I used to cook there, and I can tell you that there are very very good eats in the city - you just need to know where to look. Buford Highway is the destination for all things ethnic, and a trip to Roswell will take you to Swallow in the Hollow, home of very tasty bbq, but perhaps not up to G Wiv standards. Flying Biscuit, sad to say, was never high on my list of places to eat brunch - another great thing about the city is that brunch is a favorite hobby of just about everyone, so good brunch abounds.

    I can't give any current advice, as I moved out over 6 years ago. Creative Loafingis a decent resource (the link is to their restaurant search page), and as I recall there are some folks who post here from time to time living in ATL.
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  • Post #8 - February 6th, 2006, 11:56 pm
    Post #8 - February 6th, 2006, 11:56 pm Post #8 - February 6th, 2006, 11:56 pm
    This would definitely require a cab ride but I was in Atlanta two months ago and after a little searching, decided to go to Woodfire Grill - both because it sounded wonderful and because they offer 1/2 price bottles of wine on Sundays. The wood-fired pizza with house-cured salumi and white truffles was at least as good as it sounds...

    Woodfire Grill
    1782 Cheshire Bridge Road
    Atlanta, GA 30324
    404-347-9055
  • Post #9 - February 7th, 2006, 4:33 am
    Post #9 - February 7th, 2006, 4:33 am Post #9 - February 7th, 2006, 4:33 am
    Geo wrote:I've got to tell you that Downtown Atlanta is the most disappointing central core, eat-wise, I've ever been to...

    There's some Good Eats in ATL; but you've got to have wheels--yours or some taxi company's--to get there...

    I've got to admit, there's no place in this country that frustrated (and angered) me more than ATL.


    Accurately understated. Makes dining in the Loop look like the promised land.

    If you are without car, here are some options nigh by downtown or train/taxi accessible; list constrained by access--none so good as you would have with a car.

    1. Deacon Burton's. lunch. fried chicken. Little Five Points area, accessible by ten min MARTA train ride.

    2. MF Sushibar. Bus, or ten min Taxi. A lot of folks like this place (including several whose opinions I respect), run by a couple of Viet-American brothers.
    265 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
    404 815-8844

    3. BBQ. don't bother

    4. Mary Mac's, Ponce de Leon. meat and three tired steam table southern food. bus/ten min taxi.

    5. Krog. ten min Taxi. A good chef, a tough dinner reservation to get, but might be do-able on a weeknight. Haven't been, but have eaten his food many times and been happy at his former digs.

    7. Italian. don't bother.

    8. Brickhouse, Decatur. 15 min train ride. Exc beer draft and bottle selection and free wifi, eat somewhere else, anywhere. In fact, you could lunch at Deacon Burton's, then hop on the train to Decatur to while away the afternoon here.

    As has been noted--Woodfire is very good (past posts here, many at CH). figure a $15-$20 taxi fare each way) and min $50 per person.

    Intrepid choice (and best eats):
    Take northbound Doraville-bound Marta train to Chamblee (18 min). Walk 1/4 mile north on New P'tree road to Chinatown Square. Walk inside to the hawker's food court. Eat at the 'China Kitchen' stall. From a past post on another board:
    "dishes that are reliable winners:
    Gautieh aka cigar shaped pot stickers with pork filling-OUTSTANDING
    Onion cake aka scallion pancake
    Chive Dumpling
    #4 dumplings aka steamed dumplings with pork filling
    Chef's Special Chicken Legs aka 'Three Cup Chicken' mentioned above
    Home Style Tofu...ask for it HOT!
    Fish in Hot Oil (make sure you emphasize you want it hot, or they may tone it down)
    Beef Soup with noodle.
    This one may be hard to order, but the effort is worth it: Shehilon (fresh mild mustard green) with preserved vegetable, fresh soybeans and pressed dried tofu. Sounds bizarre, but its the best comfort type home cooking dish, very common, from Shanghai.
    #6 on the Noodle menu, shredded pork, preserved vegetable and noodles in broth, what we would think of as a soup, although its listed in the noodle section. Better even than the beef soup.
    Pork Meatball. Ask for it 'with noodle and bok choy'. It will come with some glass rice noodle vermicelli on the bottom to absorb the sauce. Aka 'Lion's Head'. A terrific dish."

    Please report back.
    Chicago is my spiritual chow home
  • Post #10 - October 21st, 2007, 8:34 pm
    Post #10 - October 21st, 2007, 8:34 pm Post #10 - October 21st, 2007, 8:34 pm
    Kid rock kicks ass @ Waffle House Atlanta:

    http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/1 ... index.html
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #11 - December 4th, 2007, 11:51 pm
    Post #11 - December 4th, 2007, 11:51 pm Post #11 - December 4th, 2007, 11:51 pm
    LTH'ers already know to escape the culinary wasteland that is downtown Atlanta, and one very good option to do just that is to take the quick (~10min) cab ride out to the Little Five Points area and find Fox Bros BBQ.

    Image

    Fox Bros is owned and operated by two brothers by the surname Fox. :) They're big fellas, which is good for me, since I typically don't trust a skinny pitmaster.

    Upon arrival, you're greeted with a warm welcoming hug of hickory smoke from these bad boys:

    Image

    Image

    They claim to be essentially central-Texas style 'cue, but you won't find sausage, and you will find pulled pork and Brunny stew, among many other things. They are definitely a sauce-on-the-side kind of joint, quite proud of their meats standing solo.

    I was told specials are always good, and pitmaster Jonathan also advised me that the pork loin special had just come off the smoker. Pretty much always a good idea to eat what's just come off the smoker, but I also wanted to sample a couple of other things, so sampler plate it was.

    "The BC Plate" (sliced brisket, pork loin, pulled pork, Brunswick stew, green beans, and one terrible photo)
    Image

    I probably used a teaspoon of sauce, just to try it, because this 'cue was so flavourful on its own. Succulent and smoky meat, with a somewhat aggressively spiced rub which yields a terrific bark. The Brunswick stew was excellent, with plenty of choice bites of pulled pork (burnt ends!), and a slightly sweet note perhaps from the addition of some sauce (?). Green beans were soupy, but very good and had a noticeable kick to them.

    I also managed to snag a chicken wing* from my friend's plate which was just fantastic. If you dig their rub and bark, I suggest you maximize surface area and get an order of wings, because they've got one helluva tasty crust to them. Fox Bros has a white, buttermilk based, sauce which makes for a delicious pairing to the wings. Highly addictive.

    They've got a bunch of somewhat quirky things on the menu, like The Tomminator (housemade tater tots covered in Brunswick stew and cheese thrown under the broiler), and fried mac'n'cheese bites. I was curious, but not that curious.

    Anyways, a great option if you're staying in downtown Atlanta.

    Nab

    Image

    Image

    Thank you for Smoking:
    Image

    Fox Bros BBQ
    1238 Dekalb Ave
    Atlanta, GA
    404.577.4030

    *been getting into the habit of ordering wings from good barbecue places, which seems to work quite well
  • Post #12 - September 22nd, 2009, 8:02 pm
    Post #12 - September 22nd, 2009, 8:02 pm Post #12 - September 22nd, 2009, 8:02 pm
    tatterdemalion wrote:LTH'ers already know to escape the culinary wasteland that is downtown Atlanta, and one very good option to do just that is to take the quick (~10min) cab ride out to the Little Five Points area and find Fox Bros BBQ.

    Glad I spotted this post, this place is a winner.

    All three of us ordered a half-slab + another meat plate, two pulled porks and a smoked chicken. Everything was wonderful. Ribs were crusty with charred rub, enough fight off the bones to make this long-time Carson's fan happy, but still soft and succulent enough that you could tear the bones apart. Pulled pork was delicious, but didn't impress the way the ribs did.

    For some reason, I don't order ribs in Chicago joints (except for Carson's -- lifelong habit), preferring the pork at Honey 1 or the brisket at Smoque. Gotta get to lesson 3 in the Gary plan -- I've got something to shoot for now.

    Sides were outstanding too: Of the three of us, we all had the fried okra: sliced lengthwise instead of the usual rings, it was sweet and salty, perfect stuff. My other side was tater tots, which were, well, tater tots (I'd almost ordered brunswick stew instead of the okra to make my own Tomminator).

    If you don't mind a few blocks walk, Fox Bros is not far off the MARTA -- one stop south and five east of the Peachtree Center.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #13 - September 22nd, 2009, 10:24 pm
    Post #13 - September 22nd, 2009, 10:24 pm Post #13 - September 22nd, 2009, 10:24 pm
    I just recently moved to Atlanta and I keep hearing talk about the Ghetto Burger at Ann's Snack Bar. Ann's is styled in the fashion of the soup nazi where one has to follow a certain set of rules to get one of these treats.

    Image

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLzzpc8s ... r_embedded

    Ann's Snack Bar
    1615 Memorial Dr
    Atlanta
    404-687-9207

    For barbeque both Fox Brothers and Swallow at the Hollow are good recommendations. You may alsop want to check out Daddy D'z down near Turner Field. It is highly thought of locally.

    Image

    Daddy D'z
    264 Memorial Drive
    Atlanta
  • Post #14 - September 27th, 2009, 1:16 am
    Post #14 - September 27th, 2009, 1:16 am Post #14 - September 27th, 2009, 1:16 am
    YourPalWill wrote:I just recently moved to Atlanta and I keep hearing talk about the Ghetto Burger at Ann's Snack Bar. Ann's is styled in the fashion of the soup nazi where one has to follow a certain set of rules to get one of these treats.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLzzpc8s ... r_embedded

    Ann's Snack Bar
    1615 Memorial Dr
    Atlanta
    404-687-9207

    For barbeque both Fox Brothers and Swallow at the Hollow are good recommendations. You may alsop want to check out Daddy D'z down near Turner Field. It is highly thought of locally.

    Daddy D'z
    264 Memorial Drive
    Atlanta

    I graduated from Emory [attended Emory's Oxford College in Covington for the first two years] in 2006, and worked at a South African restaurant in Midtown [that lasted for about six months] for a year after graduation. I go back a couple times a year, if not more, to see my friends that are still down there.

    The Ghetto Burger is good, just be prepared to wait [on afternoons with nothing else to do, I've waited around over an hour; I have seen those who seem to be regulars even bring a book], and don't just walk in when you get there, there will likely be a jumble of people outside, and the patrons waiting keep track of who is ahead of who in line themselves [this sounds chaotic, but it's informal and it works]. Then, when Ms. Ann calls you in, you go. You sit at the bar to order, either to eat there or to take it to go [I've eaten it both in the parking lot and in the place]. There are only 8 seats inside, each at stools. The place is absolutely tiny; the operation is wife and husband [and definitely in that order]. The burgers are messy, greasy, huge, put me in a food coma for hours afterword...and worth it. I think I read somewhere that Ms. Ann is retiring soon, and will close the place.

    Flip is another great burger place, over on the west side of town, and a completely different experience [Trois owner Richard Blais owns the place] than Ms Ann's. I really enjoyed my visit there in July. Skip the Krisky Kreme shake and get the toasted marshmallow. I also liked their sweetbread nuggets.

    Fox Bros. I liked in a couple visits there, nothing outstanding but pretty good. Maddy's, not far from downtown Decatur on Church St., has good BBQ sandwiches and free blues music once or twice a week.

    Merry Mac's Tea Room on Ponce is an Atlanta institution meat-and-three, but I like Our Way Cafe in Avondale Estates [a bit hard to find if you're unfamiliar with the area] more.

    Holeman Finch on Peachtree is Atlanta's answer to The Publican, but I was left somewhat unimpressed. Nothing I had there was dissapointing, but wasn't really wowed, either. Though that experience may have been helped by awkward conversation with a 'former' friend [that's a long story in itself].
  • Post #15 - September 27th, 2009, 4:47 am
    Post #15 - September 27th, 2009, 4:47 am Post #15 - September 27th, 2009, 4:47 am
    Thanks for the recommendations, Aaron, especially for Flip. I recently tried the much heralded burger at Vortex (midtown location) and was thoroughly unimpressed.
  • Post #16 - October 3rd, 2009, 10:24 pm
    Post #16 - October 3rd, 2009, 10:24 pm Post #16 - October 3rd, 2009, 10:24 pm
    For me, Holeman and Finch leaves every other snout to tail restaurant (that I've tried) in the dust. No comparison to any of the Chicago restaurants embracing this philosophy both in selection and quality.
    "In pursuit of joys untasted"
    from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata
  • Post #17 - October 4th, 2009, 7:16 am
    Post #17 - October 4th, 2009, 7:16 am Post #17 - October 4th, 2009, 7:16 am
    Jazzfood wrote:For me, Holeman and Finch leaves every other snout to tail restaurant (that I've tried) in the dust. No comparison to any of the Chicago restaurants embracing this philosophy both in selection and quality.


    Holeman and Finch indeed has fantastic food, and a wider selection of offal and housemade charcuterie than any place I know if in Chicago. Well-made classic cocktails, great beer and wine lists, and a casual, "Public House" vibe thats much less contrived than the Publican make Holeman and Finch a place that's easy to love.

    Holeman & Finch Steak Tartare:
    Image


    Holeman & Finch Veal Hearts on Polenta (sorry for the lousy pic):
    Image


    Holeman & Finch Public House
    2277 Peachtree Rd NE # B
    Atlanta, GA 30309-1173
    (404) 948-1175
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #18 - October 14th, 2009, 6:05 pm
    Post #18 - October 14th, 2009, 6:05 pm Post #18 - October 14th, 2009, 6:05 pm
    I've been in Atlanta this week, and just want to emphasize how ridiculously good Holeman and Finch is. The place takes the Mado/ Bristol/ Publican concept to a new level, where whole animal cookery is the thing and, essentially, the only thing. 5+ different housemade terrines every night, housemade roasted bratwurst, house cured bacon, raw beef, cooked brains, livers, glands and kidneys from various animals. This place is a candy store for carnivores. Russ & Daughter's with meat instead of fish, and comfy tavern seating instead of the one wooden bench outside. And one of the best mixologists around.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #19 - October 14th, 2009, 8:58 pm
    Post #19 - October 14th, 2009, 8:58 pm Post #19 - October 14th, 2009, 8:58 pm
    There's an interesting opening taking place in the next couple of weeks in Atlanta.

    Steven Satterfield, who has served as Executive Sous Chef at Watershed in Decatur for the last 10 years, is venturing out on his own to open Miller Union located in the old Miller Union Stockyards in West Atlanta. The focus will be on fresh, light preparations of local meat, produce and fruit.

    I'm a big fan of Watershed and look forward to trying Chef Satterfield's new concept.

    Opening is planned for the first week in November.
  • Post #20 - October 14th, 2009, 9:07 pm
    Post #20 - October 14th, 2009, 9:07 pm Post #20 - October 14th, 2009, 9:07 pm
    They set a ridiculously high bar. No one here is even close. Chef Linton Hopkins is the owner and also owns Restaurant Eugene across the drive way from Holman and Finch. I had a superior meal there as well when I was working in Atlanta last yr but Holman and Finch was the go to. He and his wife are leaders in the local sustainable movement and do excellent work all around.

    One other chef I'd recommend is Scott Peacock @ the Watershed in Decatur. He was Edna Louis' confidante towards the end of her life. Very solid.
    "In pursuit of joys untasted"
    from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata
  • Post #21 - October 15th, 2009, 9:12 pm
    Post #21 - October 15th, 2009, 9:12 pm Post #21 - October 15th, 2009, 9:12 pm
    Kennyz, I couldn't pass up your enthusiasm for Holman and Finch. So, I dragged a visiting local friend there.

    We started with a taste of some house made pimento cheese that reminds one why this venerable conccotion of cheese, mayo, horseradish and pimento is so revered in the deep south when made properly.

    I moved onto a soft poached egg, served over a soft, thin and flavorful johnny cake with a sliver of smoky maple bacon and a couple of seared lobes of fois gras.

    The tartare was wonderfully complex, served with the unusual topping of deep fried onions.

    My friend, a somewhat less adventurous eater, opted for some wonderful french fries with a vinegary barbeque sauce and a perfectly seared medium rare sirloin, sliced thin and served over some roasted root vegetables. With a tab of $100 for two, I thought it expensive for what it was. But, well executed none the less.

    Next time you're in town, you'll find two excellent versions of steak tartare on the appetizer menu at Ray's Killer Creek on Mansell Road in Alpharetta and on the appetizer menu at Rathbun Steak down on Krug Street in Inman Park. The latter is served classically with a single egg yolk on top.
  • Post #22 - January 3rd, 2010, 12:53 pm
    Post #22 - January 3rd, 2010, 12:53 pm Post #22 - January 3rd, 2010, 12:53 pm
    I had the opportunity to have dinner this week at the newly opened Miller Union in West Midtown. This once desolate area of town seems to be an incubator for some of the newest and most creative cooking going on in Atlanta.

    I started with the farm egg baked in celery cream, a wonderful contrast as the celery cream is almost soup-like in texture. The richness of the orange egg yolk broken into it was almost as pleasing to the eye as it was to the palate.

    For my main entree, I chose the beer braised pork shoulder with greens and some low country cow peas. The pork shoulder was just wonderful. Perfectly braised, fork tender. Combined with the greens and peas, it made a proper New Years dinner that any southerner could be proud of.

    The head chef here, as I mentioned above, was the executive sous chef at Scott Peacock's Watershed in Decatur. He is definitely carrying on the tradition of solid farm to table cooking that he learned in there.

    I highly recommend it for visitors in the future.
  • Post #23 - January 7th, 2010, 5:59 pm
    Post #23 - January 7th, 2010, 5:59 pm Post #23 - January 7th, 2010, 5:59 pm
    I've been to Daddy D's and Fox's, the former is definitely better, a cop hangout. Definitely sauce on the side, good greens and cornbread. Watch your butt, it's a dicey 'hood. But well worth it. And once you get inside there are usually cops.
    trpt2345
  • Post #24 - February 3rd, 2010, 10:57 pm
    Post #24 - February 3rd, 2010, 10:57 pm Post #24 - February 3rd, 2010, 10:57 pm
    Tried Holeman & Finch for dinner this evening, and thought it was excellent, almost across the board.

    Beet, arugula, blue cheese salad--not an innovative combo (though the blue was a welcome change from the more common goat) but impeccably executed.

    Cornish hen confit with anson mills grits...outstanding. Cornish game hen always seems a little gimmicky to me, but the meat was perfectly tender and juicy...grits were great too.

    Fried rabbit livers...I'm not a big liver guy, always seems a little too mealy in texture for me, but nicely fried and the accompanying fennel and pears were beautifully prepared.

    Housemade charcuterie...the sake salami worked pretty well, duck pastrami...I'm sorry little cured duck slices are just too small to be worthwhile, cured pork tenderloin (lonzina?) was nice, salty and sweet.

    These four dishes, split between two, left me hungry...could have probably used one or two more.

    Cocktails were fantastic, I had two whiskey-based cocktails The Port Winchester and then something else. Wish I'd gotten the recipes, as I'd rank these up with cocktails anywhere. Strong buy on that.
  • Post #25 - February 4th, 2010, 10:38 am
    Post #25 - February 4th, 2010, 10:38 am Post #25 - February 4th, 2010, 10:38 am
    Aaron Deacon wrote:Tried Holeman & Finch for dinner this evening, and thought it was excellent, almost across the board.

    Glad to hear it's still going strong, as I'll be back in Atlanta next month. Looking forward to a H&F return, as well as trying the steak tartare at Ray's Killer Creek in Alpharetta, recommended above by YourPalWill. Will - when I have my exact dates, I'll PM you to see if you might wanna join.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #26 - February 4th, 2010, 10:40 am
    Post #26 - February 4th, 2010, 10:40 am Post #26 - February 4th, 2010, 10:40 am
    Echoing Aaron's comments, thanks for the reco of Holman & Finch. Turns out, I ate at the bar on Monday night. Tartare was quite good, though not anything ground-breaking; ditto fried oysters; trigger fish with escarole in country ham jus was very good and subtle compared to the other dishes I tried, showing off the kitchen's range; an off-the-board dish of roasted pork shoulder on grits was by far the best. The pork was almost a confit preparation and quite similar to good carnitas or the type of lechon one might buy at the counter of a Cuban bakery or meat market.

    Overindulgence was in the cards when the bar man invited me to be one of a couple dozen recipients of the "secret" 10 pm double-cheeseburger. Apparently, this is sort of a big deal, since many industry pros and H&F VIP's showed up just before 10 to claim a burger -- and many disappointed folks were politely refused burger access. A very nice burger it was. It resembled a reverse-engineered Schoop's Mickey composed of elements each made from scratch in-house -- down to the mustard and ketchup. Monday and Tuesday only, I think.

    H&F is one of the very few places in ATL with a serious cocktail program, according to the bar man. I had a few things I liked, including a sort of perfect Manhattan made with cherry liquor the he was working on. Nothing was revelatory, but everything was quite good.

    A few negatives: even on a Monday night, the place became crowded with the bonehead ex-frat/real ex-wives of Buckhead crowd that is a hallmark of Atlanta bars and restaurants. If they make it to this place, they are everywhere. The cocktail pro noted the crowd was a challenge after one guy loudly expressed disgust that he couldn't get Grey Goose on the rocks. Yet, despite the fact that crowds have found the place, the concierge at my fancy hotel had never heard of it. There also was a surprising amount of nickel and diming on my bill -- multiple charges for stuff the place delivered, unsolicited, for me to "try." Again, not a big deal; I would have gladly ordered the stuff. (Surely people in ATL (like Chicago, NY, wherever) realize that good customers will have the tip reflect gratis stuff, so I'll chalk the weirdness up to very strict inventory control at the bar and/or lack of communication -- maybe the stuff needed to show on the bill but should have been listed as comped: whatever.)

    Anyway, the positives were many, the negatives few. I go to ATL several times a year and have had very spotty luck finding decent restaurants in town, particularly open late. H&F will be my go-to in the future. Thanks again to Alan and others for the head's up.
    Last edited by JeffB on February 4th, 2010, 10:57 am, edited 3 times in total.
  • Post #27 - February 4th, 2010, 10:49 am
    Post #27 - February 4th, 2010, 10:49 am Post #27 - February 4th, 2010, 10:49 am
    PS, having been to H&F and Publican, I disagree with Kenny's suggestion that H&F is less contrived. For example, the bathrooms with the fake meat locker doors are one of the sillier conceits I've seen in a while. Unlike Publican, which sits in a victorian building -- literally in an ancient neighborhood of abatoirs -- H&F is in a standard issue Hotlanta strip mall. I don't think it's entirely fair to compare the kitchens, either. H&F is more casual and I don't think the high points of the menus are at the same altitude -- Publican is cooking at a higher level. All of that said, I thought H&F was great and I'd be a regular if I lived in ATL.

    PPS, in case anyone cares, I noticed that Jeff Varasano's pizza place is nearby in another one of those fancy strip malls. From what I've read, the place is not quite there yet. I think Varasano has been candid about the difficulty in taking his personal pizza craft (which involved a jerry-rigged electric home oven) to the commercial level. I'd give it a try, though.
  • Post #28 - February 4th, 2010, 3:16 pm
    Post #28 - February 4th, 2010, 3:16 pm Post #28 - February 4th, 2010, 3:16 pm
    JeffB wrote:PS, having been to H&F and Publican, I disagree with Kenny's suggestion that H&F is less contrived. For example, the bathrooms with the fake meat locker doors are one of the sillier conceits I've seen in a while. Unlike Publican, which sits in a victorian building -- literally in an ancient neighborhood of abatoirs -- H&F is in a standard issue Hotlanta strip mall.


    I wasn't really referring to the decor, though I do think The Publican is pretty contrived there too. I was referring to the atmosphere. To me, Public Houses are casual places where it's easy to become a regular. You belly up to the bar. You know the bartender's name, and he knows yours. There are not three hostesses in little black dresses. There is no patio seating area. There are no rules about where you can/ can't sit, and there are no rules about what you can/ can't order in each of those seats. If you just want to drink, you can do so without being banished to the standing area. Holeman & Finch feels much more like a Public House to me than does the Publican, even if neither really looks like one.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #29 - February 4th, 2010, 4:09 pm
    Post #29 - February 4th, 2010, 4:09 pm Post #29 - February 4th, 2010, 4:09 pm
    Fair enough. I've only been to the Publican as part of a larger group where I felt at ease and well-served. Conversley, I was a solo at the bar for H&F, where I agree they generally treated me like a regular at the corner tap. Maybe that low-key experience isn't possible at Publican. It is at Avec, though, which could be the more apt comparison in some ways. The good news is that such places even exist these days.
  • Post #30 - February 6th, 2010, 3:05 pm
    Post #30 - February 6th, 2010, 3:05 pm Post #30 - February 6th, 2010, 3:05 pm
    H&F has really become one of my regular go to places here in Atlanta. Its a wonderful restaurant that would do well in so many cities. It offers variety and a quality of ingredients in its dishes that make it one of the better restaurants in Atlanta.

    I find its famous burger a bit overrated and prefer to stick with the other menu items (particularly those focusing on pork).

    Despite my growing affection for H&F, I'm going to use this forum to throw out yet another really rousing recommendation for the fairly new Miller Union over in west midtown.

    Chef Scott Satterfield's small but focused menu consists of around 8-10 entrees every night made with incredibly fresh ingredients that are very well prepared.

    I had yet another home run dinner there just last night highlighted by a handmade pasta tossed with a braised duck and swiss chard; and a perfectly roasted red snapper served with giant white lima beans simmered in a really flavorful ham hock broth and crispy sauteed greens.

    As a starter, I opted for a wonderful salad of tender and tasty butter lettuce served with lardons and a housemade light and tasty buttermilk dressing. The locally grown lettuce was worthy of the plate itself.

    Miller Union really serves great southern cooking with fresh ingredients. I think of it as an Atlanta version of Chez Panisse. The focus on southern cooking with fresh local ingredients makes sense seeing that Satterfield was Executive Sous Chef for Scott Peacock of Watershed for almost ten years.

    Desserts consisted of a wonderful cornmeal based cake with an orange glaze which was paired with a tart and icy buttermilk ice cream; and a three layer old fashioned southern style coconut cake.

    It has gotten some wonderful reviews of late including one from a pretty non-forgiving Creative Loafing critic.

    http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyro ... id=1326412

    http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-re ... 61204.html

    KennyZ, I look forward to hearing from you if you make it down this way.


    Miller Union Restaurant
    999 Brady Ave
    Atlanta
    678-733-8550
    http://www.millerunion.com
    Last edited by YourPalWill on February 6th, 2010, 3:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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