Hot Dish Review

Remember when the holidays were a time to relax with family and friends? That’s right….when you were a child. After that, it’s all financial hardship and stress.

Once family time was over, B and I had a chance to exchange gifts and enjoy some adult beverages and conversation. A bottle of Gloria Ferrar Brut started off the evening by my gorgeous phat tree.

Then we were off to one of our favorite spots, Top Flr, but alas, it was Monday and they were closed. B suggested another of our old haunts, Livingston, just a mile down the street. Perfect! Although chances were not good that our buddy Zeb, the chef, would be working the day after Christmas.

We had little company aside from our friendly bartender. But we were in luck to visit on Millionaire Monday, Zeb’s special two course dinner for $18 every Monday which features such rich dishes as lobster and steak. B and I decided to order one of each and create our own surf ‘n’ turf.

But first, we sipped an impressive red that was spicy and deep. A spinach salad with gorgonzola, vidalia onions was drizzled with candied bacon vinaigrette provided a simple and satisfying start.

We ordered the filet medium-rare. B requested it on the rare side and after some thought, I agreed. Best too rare than overcooked. Our plates arrived, thoughtfully kitchen split. The baby filets were unfortunately cooked medium with no rare in sight, but the lobster was perfectly poached. It was a meal that could have been decadent if it weren’t so light.

The bartender topped off our glasses as we chatted. Just then, a gentleman (and I use that term loosely) appeared at the bar. He and his new bride were apparently staying at The Georgian Terrace for their honeymoon. Dressed in a garrish pinstripe suit, he was a minister, and needed advice on what alcoholic beverage to buy for his new bride. We suggested champagne so he ordered “the cheapest one”. His ridiculous demeanor made us laugh, but it wasn’t until his departure that we noticed a flyer he had left outlining the services he offered through his business, Non-Negotiable Ministries.

Valuable services such as Prophetic Miming (who doesn’t need that?), Preaching (of course) Food Catering, and the all important Armour Bearing (WTF?), all available regardless of race, creed, or policy. What if your policy is not to hire ghetto preachers?

Best of all, his food catering business is called Fix-It Preacha. I swear. Even me and B couldn’t make that up!

(If you are interested in honing your prophetic miming skills, just contact me, I have the minister’s number.)

659 Peachtree Street NE 404-897-5000

LC likes martinis, or shall I say, he likes vodka shaken with olive juice served in a martini glass, because we all know a real martini is made with gin.

I like real martinis. Bombay Sapphire, dry, straight up, with 3 olives. Either way, the only place in town that serves a martini properly is The Highland Tap, a subterranean man-cave in the Virginia Highlands. They chill the glass with ice, fill a cognac glass with ice and seltzer, then shake up a double and pour a small amount into the chilled glass, the rest of it into a tiny carafe, which is then placed into the icy seltzer so it remains ice cold while you sip it. Classy.

A martini craving is what generally draws me to The Highland Tap. I wanted to introduce LC to the perfect martini, but we were hungry too, so we decided to snag a booth and share some appetizers and a thick, juicy steak.

We started off with an appetizer of two roasted scallops served over candied collards….just enough to whet our appetites.

Fried calamari or spinach artichoke dip? Both are menu staples throughout the U.S. since the early ’90′s, neither intrigues me. When presented with the choice, however, I went with the calamari. Flash fried with onions and peppers and drizzled with a generic “spicy” Asian glaze, Highland Tap’s plate of squid was neither greasy nor chewy despite its ubiquitous appeal.

LC and I chose a petite filet, medium-rare, with a side of truffled mac ‘n’ cheese. Lately, we’ve been addicted to mac ‘n’ cheese, including the childishly pedestrian microwaveable Kraft variety. But the homemade kind is always preferable, baked until the cheese is slightly browned with crispy breadcrumbs on top. Highland Tap serves a solid rendition, I’m assuming with a drizzle of truffle oil…good stuff.

But first our server delivered a side salad and bread. The Highland Tap has served the same dark brown mini loaves of bread since I can remember. Warm and soft…sounds better than it tastes. I’d prefer crusty white ciabatta any day. Salad was fresh and lively, jazzed up with a citrusy vinaigrette.

Our steak was well-seasoned and perfectly cooked. Sections of sweet caramelized onion accompanied the meat. A second martini was the perfect dessert….straight up.

1026 N. Highland Avenue 404-875-3673

A week before AD’s visit, I ran across a coupon for Agave, one of her favorite restaurants in Atlanta, and one that I’ve often mentioned to LC, but never visited with him. It was a sign. Now was my chance to revisit this Southwestern staple.

AD arrived with her former colleague DR, finding us already seated at a a table on the secondary patio. Chips and salsa were delivered quickly, but subsequent drink service was much too slow for folks craving tequila. LC and I tried the jalapeno skinny margarita, while they went with the regular variety.

LC and I prefer restaurants that aren’t shy about heat. Don’t you just hate it when a dish is described as “spicy” and it comes out bland? Or when you ask if it is spicy and the server assumes that is a bad thing and says something like “oh no, it’s not very spicy”. I always respond with “that’s too bad, I would have ordered it”. As delicious as Agave’s food usually is, I warned LC of Agave’s somewhat wimpy reputation in the spice department.

Traditionally, AD has always ordered the spring rolls to start and I had to have some guacamole. DR ordered ceviche that was beautifully presented in a martini glass, while LC was intent on trying the New Mexico hatch green chile stew.

The spring rolls, made with shrimp, cabbage, serranos, and roasted poblanos, are a crispy sweet treat, but I was truly impressed with the stew, thick with potatoes, onions, corn and tender chunks of beef….and it was spicy!

Every time I’ve eaten at Agave I leave stuffed. Too stuffed. Once, AD and I shared the spring rolls and a fish entree and we still had to be carried out on a stretcher. So on this visit I opted for an appetizer of grilled beef and shrimp. LC ordered the lone item that I wouldn’t even taste….meatloaf, while AD stuck to her favorite fried chicken. We got an additional side of poblano grits for sharing.

My dish was pleasingly petite, with thin slices of medium rare tenderloin and plump grilled shrimp. It was the huge dish of fiery grits that was my downfall. Ironically, AD’s chicken wasn’t as spicy as it had been in the past. LC enjoyed his entree and I was so engrossed with the grits that I don’t even remember what DR ordered.

Room for dessert? No way, Jose’!

242 Boulevard SE 404-588-0006

The first couple of days in Pigeon Forge were a whirlwind of Chinese acrobats, crazy rides, and of course, stampeding buffalo. When the dust settled, we noticed a lovely restaurant and inn perched along the river. It was part of The Old Mill Square, along with a gift shop, candy store, toy store, and creamery.

DC read glowing reviews of the Southern food at The Old Mill, so we headed that way for dinner our last night in town. After dinner, we had reservations at the Titanic museum….we were on a tight schedule. When we arrived at the restaurant, we discovered there was an hour wait. So our plan was sunk.

Or not. They owned a second restaurant across the street with a more diverse menu….and no wait. Outside, The Pottery House Cafe & Grille looked like a renovated house, complete with a gazebo in the front yard, but inside it was a rustic yet modern space with exposed wood beams and ductwork. Light wood furnishings and barn lanterns added a country vibe. And, of course, there was plenty of pottery.

Our group of six was seated at a large round table and proceeded to order drinks and appetizers. Someone mentioned the cafe bakes its own bread so I was excited to give it a try. I even considered ordering the fried green tomato BLT on their toasted sourdough, but my bad experience with toasted sourdough at breakfast coupled with the unlikelihood that they could make fried green tomatoes properly prompted me to look elsewhere on the menu.

Perhaps I would have the praline grilled pork chop with cinnamon apples and mashed potatoes? I had a feeling it would be a sugar bomb, and the pasty filler of mashed potatoes that everyone else loves bores the hell out of me.

While I weighed my options, LC ordered a basket of fried pickles and DC wanted to try the fried green tomatoes to start. As predicted, the tomatoes were thickly breaded and deep fried. I was relieved that I selected the grilled sesame chicken salad as my entree.

Meanwhile, the bread was unimpressive. LC ordered a ribeye steak with a side of jalapeno corn puddin’, at my suggestion. He said the steak was overcooked but had great flavor. I was expecting his side to be more of a cornbread pudding (like Goin’ Coastal’s), but it was sorta like thickened creamed corn with a spicy kick. C tried the quiche with fresh fruit and DC got the fried catfish with fries and cole slaw, sharing some with little A. I can’t remember what, if anything, little T ate….she was feeling queasy. The prices were very reasonable, with entrees hovering around ten bucks each.

My salad was good enough, predictable romaine with toasted almonds, Mandarin oranges, tomatoes, green onions, and chunks of chicken, all topped with crispy rice noodles and sesame ginger dressing. Their homemade cinnamon raisin pecan bread would have been much better warm, or toasted.

No time for dessert. It was time to meet our fate on the Titanic. We each received a “boarding pass” with the name of one of the passengers. Who would live through the ordeal? Ironically, I was the only one in our group that was in First Class….and the only one that didn’t survive.

175 Old Mill Avenue, Pigeon Forge 865-428-0771

Over a month after the actual day, B and I finally got together for her birthday dinner. We decided on The Sound Table for a variety of reasons, including a chance to visit with owner Darren and savor their kickass Brussels sprouts.

The concept of dinner upstairs, drinks and dancing downstairs has shifted a bit over the last year. Food is mostly served downstairs now, certainly a less intimate setting since the DJ booth is constantly pumping out the beats at a conversation-prohibitive level.

We chatted with Darren (he is English, so one must “chat”), then took our seats at a table along the exposed brick wall. Our peppy server was cute, with tattoos and black-rimmed glasses, offering suggestions for a cocktail to start off our evening.

I chose a drink made with tequila, lime, and maraschino….sort of a fancy margarita without salt, while B ordered a glass of red wine, an obscure varietal that turned out to be rich and deep.

Our perusement of the menu uncovered several disappointing changes. Naturally, the roasted Brussels were off the menu, after all, it is Summer. I had considered trying the Spatchcock chicken, a menu mainstay since the restaurant’s inception, but it too was gone.

Regrouping, we decided to split the green salad composed of local lettuces, blue cheese, and spiced pecans. For my entree, I chose the porkchop with baby peas and greens of some sort, while B ordered the salmon special with baby carrots. For an amuse bouche, we discussed the failures of men….it was a substantial serving, full of grizzle. I needed another drink.

When the salad arrived, I was surprised to see the beautiful green lettuces covered with a creamy dressing. It wasn’t mentioned and seemed an odd pairing with the two toppings. A balsamic would have made more sense, and likely would have tasted better. B described the salad as “not special”.

Then our entrees arrived, all dainty and innocent looking. But beneath the pretty exterior was the harsh truth. My two small porkchops were cooked to the consistency of shoe leather and sat upon flavorless peas and bok choy. Bok choy? I’m rather certain that was not what the menu said. Regardless, I tried to eat a bite or two but B convinced me that I should not eat it. Christ, I hate sending food back!

While not thrilled with her selection, B managed to eat almost a third of her salmon. The skin was left on, a pet peave of mine, which made it extra-fishy tasty and smelling. Two baby carrots were the saving grace of the dish.

My sad chops were replaced by our old standby, the hanger steak, medium-rare. We chose an additional side of squash to make up for the underwhelming veggies that accompanied our entrees. Both of these dishes were winners, especially the baked squash, topped with crispy shallots. The steak is usually drizzled with a good quantity of salsa verde but this one arrived almost naked, so I asked our server for extra on the side.

We were ready for a happy ending so we tried the pistachio pot de creme with mascerated figs….amazingly delicious! We should have skipped the two entrees and went straight for the steak, squash, and two of these desserts!

On another bright note, we took a peek at the new patio out back, which used to be a renegade smoking area. Had we known, we would have chosen to sit out there where conversation wasn’t drowned out by the pulsating music.

483 Edgewood Avenue

It’s hard to get me to dine outside the perimeter. However, when one of my dearest friends, Billy Gray, had a grand opening party at his (along with two partners, including the chef) new restaurant in Johns Creek, I was excited to check it out. LC is an OTP expert so we found the place with ease.

Viande Rouge means “red meat” in French, describing both the steakhouse theme and its culinary accent executed by partner chef Marc. The interior was designed by another old friend Michael Habachy, responsible for the dramatic design of many of Atlanta’s hot clubs like Aurum Lounge, for example.

The place was packed when we arrived, with lovely servers passing tiny plates of steak. I quickly snagged one with a slice of ribeye topped with a creamy French sauce (bearnaise?) and lump crabmeat. Champagne was flowing. Big bowls of perfectly crisp fries were placed on the bar with BBQ dipping sauce.

The menu reads like my culinary wet dream….duck confit with frissee, seared foie gras, wood grilled lobster, creamed leeks and onions, four cheese macaroni gratin. It’s like they read my mind!

Chef Marc had set up a cooking station near the door, searing pieces of seriously succulent steak and topping them with decadent sauces, blue cheese, and bacon. I think he called it Steak Diane….not on the menu, but delicious nonetheless.

LC and I sampled baby ramekins of souffle a l’orange while sipping champagne and mingling with friends, new and old.

Billy described his restaurant’s concept as being similar to Chops or Bones. Not a bad idea for a town that is one of the richest per capita in the US.

Sure, I know these guys and yes, perhaps I am a little biased. But one thing is certain, I can’t wait to have a full meal at Viande Rouge, OTP or not!

9810 Medlock Bridge Road 770623-4959

Baseball is more than just sport. It has proven to be a pivotal force in the history of our country, putting African Americans in positions of adoration and respect at a time when discrimination was commonplace.

Working closely with the Atlanta Braves, my company was invited to attend the Major League Baseball Beacon Awards that took place on May 14th at the Omni’s Grand Ballroom. The Civil Rights Game was played the following day at Turner Field.

This year the award was given to Ernie Banks, Carlos Santana, and Morgan Freeman, three men that have made a difference in promoting civil rights throughout their lives. LC and I made our way to our table where a salad awaited each guest’s arrival. Wine was poured by attentive servers.

Desserts were already presented, providing a temptation throughout the ceremony. Or perhaps it was the proverbial carrot dangling in front of us, intended to keep us awake for numerous speeches. Unfortunately, the facility was air-conditioned to a fridgid 55 degrees, making all the ladies wearing dresses shiver uncomfortably the entire time. If that didn’t keep us awake, nothing would, not even the promise of sugar.

Dressed with a slightly sweet citrus vinaigrette, I was very impressed with the salad composed of field greens, poached pear, herbed goat cheese, and candied pecans. The greens were mostly frissee….my favorite!

Every civil rights leader made an appearance, from Rev. Al Sharpton to Rev. Jesse Jackson. But it was keynote speaker Rev. Joseph Lowery who’s words were both inspiring and entertaining.

Beatifully presented entrees arrived, seared beef tenderloin served with potatoes au gratin and sauteed haricot verts and baby carrots. Serving beef to hundreds of people is tricky at best. Some like it rare, some like it well, but everyone likes it their way. So how is it possible to make a beef dish that will please a crowd? Make sure the meat is tender! This thick cut was well-done yet juicy. Accompanying sides paired nicely.

When we finally made it to dessert, I was somewhat disappointed. Creme fraiche topped with fresh berries filled a cup made of white and milk chocolate. Although it was pretty, the dessert’s downfall was the overpowering flavor of lemon in the creme fraiche which didn’t work with the chocolate and berries.

From the diverse attendees to the well-executed dinner, the event was a success, but it would have been much more enjoyable if I was wearing a parka.

Lake Lanier Islands has a reputation for family fun….nothing fancy. There is a water park, and a casual restaurant at Sunset Cove, where all the houseboats pull up to party.

But there’s another side to Lake Lanier, its resort called Legacy Lodge. Gorgeous views, golf, a spa, and fine dining are making this resort the next hot destination for weddings, corporate meetings, and weekend getaways.

LC and I spent a night at one of the lake cottages recently, a sweet two bed, two bath with a huge balcony complete with a jacuzzi and a grill.

A Mardis Gras party was planned but since the weather didn’t cooperate, it was cancelled, so we ended up having some dinner at Bullfrogs Bar & Grille. We chose a booth in the nearly empty dining room and ordered a couple of drinks.

This restaurant serves guests at the pool in the warmer months, offering a variety of healthy menu choices. Lighter items include the nutritional information, although I question the accuracy on some like the island chicken salad with sliced melon, for instance. It is described as chicken salad tossed with cashew pieces, crushed pineapple, and raisins, and having 182 calories. Either the serving is tiny or the calorie count is grossly underestimated. Nevertheless, I applaud their effort.

LC was ravenous so we tried the bruschetta to start. This is a dish that can suffer from numerous issues including soggy toast and a heavy hand with garlic. Not to mention, its inclusion on practically every menu in the ’90′s made it as predictable as fried calamari. Bullfrogs served four large, crisp toasts topped with fresh chopped tomatoes, diced pepper jack cheese, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. It was fresh and bright….I was pleasantly surprised. If you are not in the mood for bruschetta, you can order….you guess it….the fried calamari.

I rarely crave red meat, but on this occasion I had a hankerin’ for a steak….medium rare. There were several choices but I went with the pan seared filet mignon, a 4-5 oz medallion topped with artichoke heart pesto and served over sweet potato puree and steamed broccoli. The nutritional content of the dish was listed below its menu description…..182 calories, 6 grams of fat, 448 mg. of sodium. Strangely, there was no carbohydrate or protein information.

It sounded amazing, but to be honest, I didn’t expect gourmet fare at Lake Lanier. When my filet arrived, I took its temperature….perfect. Seriously tender, the pesto added crazy good flavor to the already fantastic cut of meat. And with sweet potatoes? That’s right, it kicked ass.

There are also plenty of unhealthy menu options. LC went with one of those….their signature “Firehouse” baby back ribs. He chose a salad as one of his sides, onion rings as the other. The salad was nothing special, unless you really like croutons.

Described as “fall-off-the-bone goodness”, his half rack was coated with a sweet and spicy sauce. The succulent meat really did fall off the bones, as promised. LC’s onion rings were perfectly crispy, but not greasy. We had to take half of his entree back to our cottage where it made an awesome midnight snack after we tried out the hot tub in the rain. We were determined to enjoy our stay, damn it!

And we did. I’m looking forward to many return visits, perhaps lounging by the pool and sampling some of Bullfrogs’ light salads or sandwiches. Or spending a day at the spa while LC plays a round of golf.

Months following our first visit to The Sound Table, B and I stopped in for a late dinner after our official Christmas celebration….yes, two weeks late. We chatted with owner Darren Carr, then took the only table available to find an (almost) entirely revamped menu, due to new chef Brendan Keenan. Chef Shane Devereux developed the original menu with lots of Asian influences but is now spending more time at Top Flr.

A few original items remain such as the popular Oaxacan hanger steak and Spatchcock grilled chicken, most likely because they have cool names (LOL!). Seriously, the steak is killer. Me and B could not resist its tender temptation, pairing it with Brussels sprouts. At Darren’s suggestion we tried the sunchoke puree. A new dish, the grilled quail, also got my attention. We decided to split the four.

They closed the upstairs dining room early so this would be our first time eating downstairs. I really like the minimalist space. We started with a glass of red wine each, B choosing the better of the two, then laughed about the Christmas gifts we exchanged earlier in the evening as we waited for food to arrive.

A small square cast-iron dish was delivered, full of Brussels sprouts roasted with shallots, Benton’s bacon, and sherry vinegar. Damn. Who would have thought that Brussels sprouts could be orgasmic? As good at Top Flr’s, no doubt.

We ordered our steak medium rare, and like last time, it was on the rare side. Arbol chili marinated, and served resting in a pool of pico de gallo, there is no shortage of flavor here.

The grilled quail, however, was an odd bird indeed. Puzzling how it was listed under salads. Three slices of the quail’s leg and thigh were devoid of skin and served on a crispy grits cake that was substantial yet somewhat flavorless. Wilted greens alongside looked and tasted like bok choy and a sauce described as pomegranite balsamic wasn’t much more than a smattering of seeds. The sum of the parts was less than I expected.

Sunchoke puree sounded like an offbeat dish that would elicit oohs and ahhs much like Miller Union’s farm egg in celery cream. The poached egg was there but that’s where the similarity ends. There was a strange aftertaste that reminded me of dishwater, but B didn’t seem to notice. Perhaps it was the earthiness of the roasted mushrooms?

This new menu shares a lot of common ground with Top Flr’s quirky small plate concept yet lacks that definitive wow factor. One thing’s for sure, music is still on the menu. They were crankin’ up the funk as we were checking out.

483 Edgewood Avenue 404-835-2534

Like last Thanksgiving with my folks, we went to dinner at Cafe on the Avenue again. Another case of deja vu, we were seated at the same table and ordered practically the same thing.

It’s a charming, cozy cafe in a renovated house set among antique stores and gift shops. Seems like the sort of place that may do better business at lunch when they offer an impressive array of salads and sandwiches.

We started off with a little wine. I vaguely recalled not loving the salad dressing before (although I could be mistaken) so I ordered the Caesar to start. My parents each got the house salad with no complaints. Garlic bread sticks were served alongside.

All three of us ordered the surf ‘n’ turf skewers, a combination of grilled steak, lobster, shrimp, and peppers on two skewers served with rice pilaf and mixed vegetables. First of all, why not separate the seafood from the beef so diners can order the steak the way they like it? Last year that wasn’t an option. Me and my Dad ordered this entree and the chunks of steak came out very well done, just the way he likes it.

I, on the other hand, prefer my steak cooked medium or medium-rare. This year I asked again, expecting a “sorry, they’re already skewered together” response. However, our server, who may have been the owner or manager as well, said she would see what she could do to accomodate me. Meanwhile, my Dad confirmed that he wanted his the regular way….overdone.

When the entrees arrived, I began removing the chunks of lobster and steak, and the shrimp that anchored the ends of each skewer. Fantastic! My steak was medium and extremely tender. And, unfortunately, so was my parents’ steak. My Dad had to send his back to be charred while I quietly enjoyed mine. Mom didn’t complain much but I could tell she would have liked them cooked a bit longer.

The meal wasn’t perfect, however. Each skewer had only one piece of lobster (same as last time). Rice pilaf was merely buttered white rice, as far as I could tell, and the vegetable medley of squash was entirely unremarkable. Already pissed off about the steak, my Dad noted that there were no grill marks on the shrimp like before. True.

Altogether, I would recommend it if you happen to be in Crystal River. The neighborhood’s upscale vintage vibe is a nice change of pace from the area’s down-home country spots.

On a side note, John Travolta and Kelly Preston have a house nearby that is perpetually “under construction”. We drove past and it is gorgeous! My Mom suspects the pile of dirt on the otherwise pristine driveway is simply a decoy.

631 Citrus Avenue, Crystal River, FL 352-795-3656