Where's the Beef?

This review was originally written in October of 2009. I've had so many people ask me about Holeman and Finch lately, I figured it deserved a reprint!

My roommate is a vegetarian turned recent vegan. I am the opposite of that, whatever that is. There was a point in my life that I’m fairly certain I ate a cheeseburger a day. A Wendy's No. 3 can be polished off without flinching (for those non-fast foodies, a No. 3 is a triple cheeseburger, fries and soft drink). In my eyes, the Hamburgler is a hero. So when every Atlanta publication raved about Holeman and Finch’s burgers, I knew where my next beef binge was coming from.

Obtaining a burger from Holeman and Finch Public House is a tricky feat. For starters, they aren’t even on the regular menu. They start selling them at 10 each night, but they make them in limited quantities and have been known to sell out by 10:05. Urban legend says that a lively patron once shouted, “It’s burger time!” causing a commotion amongst the crowd, which resulted in an extra round of burgers being sold.

So as not to be disappointed by a burger sell-out, I decided to give this place a try on a Sunday. Burgers are a regular item on the Sunday lunch menu, and this town knows it. The tiny space was bustling with a mixture of families, friends and a few folks who looked like they shared my hangover and need for grease.

The wait for a table was only around 20 minutes, being on a meaty mission with little patience, we sat in the bar area on too-tiny stools facing a wall. I had my official drink of Sundays, a mimosa (delightful and made with fresh-squeezed O.J.) and B.F. had a beer off of their eclectic beer list.

We didn’t need time to look over the menus, we were there with a purpose and that purpose was beef. My boyfriend and I ordered our items, simply titled The Burger. Much to our surprise, my vegetarian roommate decided to break her year-plus lifestyle of meatless-ness and go with a Fried Oyster Sandwich.

When the burgers came, I thought I might have a culinary convulsion. The two thick slices of beef were smothered in melted cheese and piled with grilled onions. Fries, ketchup and mustard were served on the side. The task that lay ahead looked daunting, but I had confidence in my ability to lick my plate clean.

The burgers definitely lived up to the hype. Juicy, flavorful and with just the right amount of grease, Holeman and Finch knows how to do a burger. Never one to stop when I’m full, I happily cleaned my plate, as did my boyfriend. The roommate, however, was slightly disappointed with her meat-cheat meal. Even after several douses of hot sauce, she wished she’d stuck to her tofu. Lesson learned.

The fries were so-so, but I’m the type of gal that can eat cardboard if it has enough ketchup on it.

Holeman and Finch rounds out the menu with a selection of meats, cheeses and parts (e.g. Slow Cooked Bershire Pork Belly, Gratin of Marrow). Desserts include Fried Apple Pie with Madagascar Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and even a Coca-Cola Float!

Prices are just right, with our burgers costing $11 and the rest of the menu ranging from $3 (Deviled Eggs Three Ways) to $15 (Plate of House Cured Meats).

The service was a little spotty, but being a table jockey myself for around 10 years, I’ll cut this place some slack. I know all too well it takes time for a restaurant to work the kinks out, service wise.

This Public House prides itself for having a friendly, come as you are atmosphere. Just make sure you come hungry.

Holeman and Finch Public House is located at 2277 Peachtree Road, next to Restaurant Eugene.

~Blair Branch
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A Dieter's Dream: Seasons 52

I’ve found my Mecca. My culinary heaven. A restaurant that combines the perfect blend of ambiance, flavor, and the real kicker….every item on the menu is fewer than 475 calories. Of course, when you order four things off the menu, that detail doesn’t really make a difference. But still! Under 500 calories for flatbreads, stuffed mushrooms and rack of lamb with potatoes? Amazing.

I know Seasons 52 isn’t new, but it’s new to me, and I can’t wait to return. It was fairly busy when the B.F. and I arrived a few Friday nights ago, but we were quickly seated in a large booth. I ordered wine from the impressive-sized list, and the B.F. had is old standby—Crown on the rocks. I quickly noticed (much to my delight) that when you order a second (or in my case third or fourth) glass of wine, the servers bring the whole bottle over to assure the customer that they are getting what they ordered. It’s little nuances like that that make me appreciate a restaurant.

The B.F and I have our ordering routine down pat at this point. We always have an app (usually some crab-cake type concoction) followed by carefully-discussed entrees—we usually have a debate about what we should get, (and if I’m torn between two dishes I always try to urge him to order the one I’m not getting) and a peek at the dessert menu to start brainstorming about what our best choice is.

This night was no different, and we started discussing which flatbread to get. With choices like Grilled Steak with Cremini Mushrooms, Garlic Chicken with balsamic onions and roasted red peppers and Spicy Chipotle Shrimp, we were torn. In the end, we tried the Spicy Chipotle Shrimp. Topped with grilled pineapple, roasted poblano peppers and feta cheese, it was sweet, spicy, and simply delicious. The flatbread is light and crispy, not greasy and filling, making these the perfect appetizer for sharing—or definitely enough for a meal for one.

Since we started with a flatbread, we decided to forego any other appetizers. But I WILL be back to try the Housemade Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with roasted garlic and sweet basil in a light tomato broth. Yum! For my entrée, I decided to forego any of my usual suspects, though the Carmelized Sea Scallops, Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon, and Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon all sounded AMAZING. I chose the New Zealand Rack of Lamb, served with roasted potatoes and green beans. The B.F. decided to branch out as well and try the Venison Chop, served with garlic mashed potatoes and veggies.

The lamb was cooked to pink perfection, and the sides were simply prepared, yet flavorful. I can see how the dishes tally in below 475 calories. Nothing was dripping in the usual butter bath I’ve come to expect at restaurants, and I could actually taste the flavor of the meat instead of a pile of salt. There’s nothing too fancy or elaborate about this dish—just delicious food, executed perfectly. The B.F. had no complaints about his dish either, and I was lucky enough to steal a few bites of garlic mashed potatoes.

Dessert is the most important part of the meal, in my opinion. But how could any restaurant keep sinful desserts under 475 calories and maintain the taste? Seasons 52 manages this feat with portion control. Desserts (called Mini Indulgences) two-bite treats served in shot glasses. So as not to ruin our semi-healthy dinner, we chose just two desserts to try. Key Lime Pie (the B.F.’s favorite) and Mocha Macchiato. Both were downright decadent, and a perfect and light way to end our meal.

Our service was impeccable, and the manager was friendly when he stopped by to inquire about our meal. The place was crowded (it was a Friday night after all) but our server didn’t seemed rushed or annoyed when we asked him a ton of questions about the menu.

I can’t wait to go back to try more dishes, and I’m excited to see what offerings will be available in the spring, since the menu changes seasonally. I’m even more excited that they do takeout, so I can order a healthy flatbread instead of pizza on nights I don’t feel like cooking. With its healthy, and simple yet amazing food, Seasons 52 makes for the perfect spot for the calorie-conscious who refuse to sacrifice taste.


~Blair Branch

Seasons 52 is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Seasons 52 is located at 3050 Peachtree Road NW.
404.846.1552