Blair's Best of 2009

Every legit publication in town has a best-of list, so I decided to compile a not-so-legit listing of my favorite food spots in town. Read, enjoy and please leave your comments and thoughts.

Best Burger- 2009 was the year of the burger for Atlantans, and while many tried to compete, none held a candle to the greasy simplicity of the beef at Holeman and Finch. Set a date to try this delectable dish, they only serve it after 10 pm and during Sunday brunch.

Best Pizza- Baraonda in Midtown has been my go-to spot for slices since I rented an apartment above the restaurant in 2003. Thin and crispy Italian-style slices rule here, and the patio overlooking 3rd Street makes for great dining during the summer.

Best Steak- Trendy steak joints may come and go, but my love of Hal’s is forever. This Buckhead establishment serves up the best slabs of meat in town, with a touch of that men’s-club style charm.

Best New Restaurant- 2009 was a year of trendy and pricey restaurant openings, from The W Downtown’s BLT Steak to Buckhead Life’s Bistro Niko. But few new restaurants boasted the delicious food, impressive wine list and dirt-cheap prices like Cellar 56. This place is here to stay, and thank goodness, since the mac ‘n cheese has become a diet staple of mine.

Best Tapas- My perennial fave, Noche, now with two locations, serves up Spanish-style small plates with flair. Cheap margaritas and beer, paired with delicious dishes like Lobster Tacos and Grilled Skirt Steak provide the perfect combo for a night of dish sharing.

Best Place for a Girls’ Night Out- Margaritas, mojitos, delicious tapas and loud music make Eclipse di Luna a go-to spot for a Friday night gal-fest. Expect to wait, even with a reservation—this place gets packed.

Best Place for a Guys’ Night Out- Beer, plasmas, bar-grub and a bustling weekend bar-scene make Hudson Grill a great spot to catch a game, chug a brew and chow on a burger.

Best First Date Place- I may be biased because this was the first restaurant the B.F. took me to (not-counting a hungover lunch at Fellini’s the Sunday before) but South City Kitchen’s cozy space and southern-inspired entrees are sure to please. This spot doesn’t try to hard, and the casual restaurant—with locations in Midtown and Vinings, make for a perfect place to get to know each other.

Best Lunch Spot- Located in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center, Zoe’s Kitchen serves up fresh sandwiches and salads and healthy sides like fruit and mayo-free potato salad in a timely manner and friendly atmosphere.



~Blair Branch

Gastro Pub Grub at TAP

I will start by saying that TAP’s 14th Street location, while convenient for foot-traffic diners, is a nightmare to get to by car, especially with Atlanta’s notorious traffic.

Looking for a Midtown-located restaurant to grab an early and quick bite before a trip to Whole World Theatre, the B.F. and I chose TAP over the pseudo-glitziness of its across-the-street-neighbor, Shout.

Like most Atlantans, I’ve driven by TAP numerous times and always desired to try it out, especially during the summer. What better way to entertain myself than to sit on TAP’s patio, mere feet away from Peachtree, during Friday afternoon rush-hour, watching ornery drivers tail-end each other, sipping a foreign beer I can’t pronounce?

It was a blistering-cold night when we dined at TAP, so the patio would have to wait. We were seated immediately at a tiny two-top, which was fine since the restaurant was sparsely-filled for our 6:30 pm dinner, except for a few…ahem…old people.

The interior of TAP is interesting, if floor to ceiling offensive red paint is your style. Frankly, it freaked me out a little to see a life-sized plastic deer in the corner, seemingly dipped in red paint. The bells hanging from his collar did add a seasonal, festive touch though.

I’m no beer connoisseur, so I told the server I liked everything and asked for his suggestions. He brought me and the B.F. some type of Belgian Ale, which was good and paired well with our dinner selections.

To be honest, the menu is confusing, and there is no real sense of cohesion. On the dinner menu, diners can choose from Shares (TAP’s version of apps), including items like Hot Boiled Peanuts, Fried Pickles and Pickled Cauliflower and Carrots. We opted out of trying any of these Shares, seeing as I prefer to get my hot-boiled peanuts from a man in a pick-up truck parked on the side of I-75 in South Georgia, thank you very much.

The Plates, which apparently are for sharing also, were uninspiring as well. The Chorizo Scotch Egg (a Chorizo-wrapped egg served with mustard aioli and pickled mushrooms) or Crawfish and Portabello Ravioli just weren’t going to hit the spot.

I played it safe with this at-times-eclectic menu. I ordered the Pub Burger. Greasy and delicious and simply served with just a slice of cheese and pickles on an English muffin. In an attempt to lighten up the meal, I opted for the side of mixed greens, which were served with a light and refreshing vinaigrette. Much to my surprise and delight, my burger was also served with a tiny shot glass filled with a Chocolate Milkshake, which had a Frosty-like consistency and flavor.

The B.F. tried a couple of tacos (yes, along with Chorizo-wrapped eggs, TAP also serves a small selection of tacos). The Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Yucatan BBQ Pork and Shrimp A La Diabla were all good, but less than memorable.

Though the Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar and Chocolate Stout Ice Cream Sandwich were calling my name, we decided against dessert. Maybe next time.

The prices are reasonable, with the Shares and Plates ranging from $3-$17, and the sandwiches around $12. Supper dishes will set you back about $16, and all desserts are $6. The real treat here, is obviously the extensive beer selection.

Though the menu seemed to be all over the place, I would visit TAP again, if only to order the burger. And though the summer might be months away, TAP is still a decent watering hole to sip foreign beers I can’t pronounce.

~Blair Branch

TAP is located at 1180 Peachtree Street in Midtown.
TAP is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Aria proves why it's one of Atlanta's best

Consistently selected as one of Atlanta’s best and most romantic restaurants, Aria has long been at the top of my wish-list of restaurants to try. Given my budgetary restraints, and my almost-compulsive shopping habit, I had never been able to make the splurge on my own. Luckily, some friends of the B.F. wanted to take us out for a nice dinner recently, and Aria was the spot they chose.

We dined in the wine cellar, an intimate and interesting experience that I recommend—just make your reservation in advance; we had to eat 6:00 in the evening because the later times were already booked.

The menu is simple and changes nightly, and is comprised of starters and entrees ranging from Foie Gras to Swordfish Steak. For our starter, the B.F. and I split the Warm Lobster Cocktail. Served in a martini glass with pureed broccoli and black truffle potatoes, this dish made me not want to share a bite. Reluctantly, I did, but the buttery pieces of lobster and the truffle potatoes made me want to order seven and just eat this as my meal.

Thankfully, I was advised against this because my entrée was a treat. Often when I’m dining at a place I’ve never been, I will trust the server and let them choose my dish for me. I gave our server a choice between the Pan Roasted Duck Breast, the Roasted Rack and Shoulder of Lamb or the Angus Beef Filet Mignon. Normally, I would’ve simply chosen the Filet, but I was in the mood for something new.

I was surprised and delighted when I was served the Roasted Rack and Shoulder of Lamb. Having only tried lamb a handful of other times in my life, it was a welcomed flavor change from the usual beef or chicken. The rack was tender and flavorful, while the shoulder was served crisped but still equally delicious. For once, I don’t remember what sides I had. I don’t even remember what everyone else at the table ordered, though I tried a bite of everything. I can only think that this appetite amnesia is a result of how crazy-good my meal was.

I never pass up dessert, as evidenced by my ever-expanding jean size. We ordered two desserts for the table, both upon the recommendation of our server. The B.F. and I shared the Warm Chocolate Cheesecake. It was creamy and rich and the walnut crust proved to be a nice winter-y touch. The other couple ordered the Varlhona Chocolate Cream Pie, and while I never met a chocolate dish I didn’t like, this pie wasn’t a standout like the rest of the meal. The combination of the rich chocolate pudding-esque center of the pie with the bittersweet chocolate ice cream was just too rich for my blood.

The service at Aria is top-notch, but in a friendly, non-pretentious way. I love going to a fine-dining spot where the server is knowledgeable yet laid-back enough to help me feel comfortable and not intimidated by a menu full of things I’ve never heard of. I am usually a gal that loves a dining deal, but since I didn’t even get to glance at the bill, I have no idea how much the total was. But given the caliber of the food, combined with copious amounts of wine, I’m guessing this place is a little out of my usual price-range.

I would love to try Aria again, since the menu changes often. Next time I’d like to dine in the bright and airy dining area, as opposed to the depths of the wine cellar. It’s a great special-occasion date place (I asked if they were already booked for Valentine’s Day, and apparently they’re almost full) and well worth the price. Perennially voted one of Atlanta’s best restaurants, Aria continues to set the standard for fine dining.

~Blair Branch

Aria is located at 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead.
Aria is open Monday-Saturday from 6:00pm-10:00pm.

Comfort Food with Comfortable Prices at Lenox Square Grill

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