Three Sheets brings chic to Sandy Springs

Not one to venture OTP very often, the B.F. and I trekked a whole ten minutes a few Fridays ago to try the lounge-y small-plates spot, Three Sheets.

Nestled back in the City Walk shopping center and boasting an amazing second story patio complete with its own bar, Three Sheets serves up small plates with style.

Having basically starved myself all day to save up for a calorie-bomb that evening, I arrived ravenous and ready to order. We started with the French Fries. Though they seem basic enough, these fries are anything but fast-food variety. The fries seem double-dipped in batter, with a slight crisp to the outside. The trio of dipping sauces served with them-- sriracha aioli, chimichurri and ketchup, made them perfection.

Being a fan of all things cheesy, we tried Spicy Mac and Cheese. This southern soul-food dish was delicious! I love when the cheese bakes over on top and forms a yummy crust that bursts with gooey-ness when you dig in for a bite. Ahh…my diet has met its nemesis.

The last thing we needed was more food, but since we wanted to try some more dishes, we selected a few plates from the dinner section of the menu. The Trio of Sliders come three ways—Caprese-style with tomato, mozzarella and basil, roasted chicken salad with bacon and jalapeno and the classic—Angus beef with lettuce, tomato and sriracha aioli. Diners are able to mix and match any way they want, so we chose two Angus and a chicken salad. While the chicken salad was delish, the Angus slider was amazing, and I wish we would’ve gotten all three Angus-style.

For our second main dish, we chose the Applewood Smoked Cheddar Grilled Cheese with tomato bisque. This dish is comfort food at its best. Just greasy enough and served on thick sourdough, this sandwich was the star of the meal, and the creamy tomato bisque on the side makes a perfect dipping sauce. I’ve been craving this sandwich for days, and I think it’s my new favorite meal—anywhere.

My stomach knows no limits, and though I was stuffed, I insisted we try a dessert. My devotion for chocolate steered me in the wrong direction when making the dessert choice. Though the Chocolate Mousse Cake was great, I was thrilled when a friend at our table ordered the White Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberry Filling. It was light, fluffy and a perfect finish to our heavy-ish meal. It should be noted though, that I ended up sufficiently staining my white dress with both cakes, so I’m not really sure which one I like best.

The service during our meal was great, especially considering that we went on the first night that the rooftop patio was open, and there was only one server for the whole area. Three Sheets is a great spot for after-work drinks and bites, a birthday celebration or a girls’ night out. Three Sheets also has live music and DJs Tuesday-Saturday nights.

With the chic yet chill ambiance, delicious food and friendly staff, I think I’ll be making the trek to Sandy Springs more often.


~Blair Branch



Three Sheets is open Tuesday through Saturday, 5pm-2am.
Three Sheets is located at 6017 Sandy Springs Circle in Atlanta.
404.303.8423

Paul's fails to please

When the B.F. asked which restaurant I’d like to dine at on my birthday, I rattled off a novella-long list of area hot-spots I’d yet to try, and left the final decision up to him. My requirements for my birthday dinner were simple. Good food and great wine. I was pleased that the B.F. chose the restaurant of local restaurant guru Paul Albrecht, Paul’s. Though Paul’s has been nestled back in Peachtree Hills for a few years, I had yet to try it. Former co-founder of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Albrecht has been involved with many of my favorite local restaurants, so I was anxious and excited to see what his namesake spot had in store.

Upon entrance, I felt immediately awkward for being totally overdressed for the restaurant. I didn’t expect white coats and top hats, but I certainly wasn’t expecting a Jay Leno wannabe in a denim-on-denim getup with white sneakers either. Given Albrecht’s hand in opening some of the cities sexiest restaurants, I was expecting more.

We started our meal with a bottle of red, per usual, and the All White Lump Crab Cake from the Small Plates portion of the menu. The cake was perfection, with moist and flaky bunches of crab and crispy cake served with sautéed spinach and calypso butter. I noted that I could’ve just eaten that for dinner and been content, flavor-wise. My only beef was that it was $15 for one measly crab cake! I understand it was from the Small Plates section, I just wish it had a smaller price as well.

While perusing the menu for my entrée choice, I was skeptical of finding something I’d enjoy. Though I like to eat and write about eating, I’m not super-adventurous when it comes to eating and I wanted my quarter-century birthday meal to be nothing but amazing. With menu items like Pan Seared Calf’s Liver (yuck) and Grilled Vegetable Tofu (no thanks) I feared I had made a mistake by including Paul’s on my restaurant list. Seeking less-exotic fare, I stuck with the tried and true meat and potatoes route and chose the Filet Mignon, served with rosemary rosette potatoes, crispy onion rings and jumbo asparagus, all in a red wine reduction. My filet was nothing short of delectable. It was cooked to perfection and a generous size, and the classic steakhouse sides were a welcomed accompaniment. I honestly couldn’t have been happier.

The B.F. was not as pleased, and not without merit. I tried several bites of his Hickory Short Smoked Pork Tenderloin and honestly, it tasted like my mother’s ham she used to serve on Sundays. And that’s not a compliment (sorry Mama!). I cook pork tenderloin about once a week at home, and even mine is better than this! I think the B.F. chooses his entrees based on the sides it’s served with, and with high hopes for the macaroni and cheese and collard greens, we were left disappointed. While both might’ve been delicious if served warm, we wound up eating gooey, congealed and cold mac and cheese and disgusting, limp collard greens.

I felt bad (but not too bad) that the B.F’s dinner was gross while mine was great, so I was hoping the dessert would help save the evening. I’m not hard to please in terms of dessert. You could drizzle chocolate over mayonnaise (my absolute most-hated food item) and I would eat it. So I’m not the most objective source. The dessert was good, but forgettable. It was some sort of tiramisu (my favorite food ever) and cheesecake (my second-favorite food ever). With a combo like that, I was expecting greatness. It wasn’t.

I don’t think I’ll go back to Paul’s. While the crab cake we started with was delicious, a $15 appetizer doesn’t redeem the other aspects of the meal. The restaurant has a major identity crisis, with too much going on menu-wise. I’m a believer in sticking with a common element and making it perfect, and with selections ranging from Crispy Sweetbreads and Sage Prosciutto to Vegetable Tortellonis to sushi, Paul’s is far from perfection. Service-wise, everything was great, although the B.F. was a little peeved they forgot it was my birthday (apparently he asked that they make note of it when he made the reservation.)

As we were leaving, I took it all in. The rooftop patio, the neighborhood feel, the old men sipping scotch at the bar, the piano in the corner. I guess I can learn to appreciate Paul’s for what it is—a second-rate version of Hal’s.


~Blair Branch

Paul's is located at 10 Kings Circle in Peachtree Hills.
Paul's is open daily for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for brunch.
404.231.4710

Dinner with a Twist

Out of all the big-name restaurant groups in Atlanta, I’ve always favored Here to Serve Restaurant Group. Not only does the group offer great deals (like $10 all you can eat tapas and discounted bottles of wine) the food is eclectic and inventive, and the menus have enough choices to please everyone.

Last weekend the B.F. and I broke our New Years diet to take some out-of-towners to Here to Serve’s Buckhead mainstay, Twist.

With a Buckhead address close to several hotels and its Phipps Plaza location, Twist is a go-to spot for Atlanta tourists, which can be a bit obnoxious. But there’s no denying the menu makes the fanny-packed crowd worth it.

Dining at Twist on the weekends can be less than enjoyable, as I quickly remembered upon arrival when I was greeted at the door with the booming bass of the DJ in the bar area. Twist turns into a bit of a nightclub-y hot-spot on the weekends, an attribute that I had forgotten when I made the reservation. Luckily, we were seated in the back room, as far away as possible from the martini-sipping sugar daddies and scantily-clad women.

While usually a wine or beer gal, I chose to try one of Twist’s signature drinks for the cocktail menu, a grape martini. Made with grape vodka, grape puckers, sprite and sour and served with a sugared rim, it was strong and sweet, though did have a hint of a cough medicine flavor. I’ll stick to the wine next time.

Twist’s menu boasts a selection of entrees, salads sushi and my favorite, tapas. Having been on a diet for the majority of January, I decided to splurge, so after noshing on the bread basket (with some kind of sweet buttery spread that was delicious!) and the Spanish Style Fried Potatoes (with a delectable, spicy sauce for dipping), I chose the Grilled Bistro Steak with Portobello, Tomatoes and Blue Cheese and the Crab Cake with Tartar, Lemon and Arugula.

The steak was delicious, smothered in a Rosemary Jus and served with melted Blue Cheese on top. The flavor was well worth the $10 price tag, and the portion was large enough to have as a meal by itself. But I was on a mission to splurge, so I wasn’t stopping there.

The Crab Cake was an equally good value at just $9, and was large enough to where even I, consistently a clean-plate club member, couldn’t finish it. It might sound silly, but I love crab cakes when they aren’t too overwhelmingly crabby and are coated in a fried batter, and these fit the bill. I also tried bites of the Mini-Burger with Pickle (beware, it has an unexpected, spicy kick to it) and the Fish Tacos with Spicy Slaw (not as spicy as expected, but a nice flavor.) Though I didn’t try the other dishes, the Fried Artichokes, Hummus and Bruschetta were all hits with our dinner companions.

Having survived on sugar-free fudge pops the majority of the month, I was determined not to skimp of dessert. We tried the dessert sampler, which consisted of three desserts of our choosing for $12. After a heated debate on what to order, we settled on the Molten Chocolate Cake, Tiramisu Parfait and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars. Everything was delicious and left me with a sugar high. The Tiramisu, served layered in a martini glass with crumbled macaroons on top, is a personal favorite. The Chocolate Peanut Bars are a tad on the rich side, so it takes some serious dessert dedication to have more than a few bites of these. The Red Velvet Cupcake caught my eye on the menu, but I guess I’ll have to wait until next time.

We exited Twist at around 10 p.m., and I can’t imagine how disappointing our dinner would’ve been if we hadn’t been seated in the quiet solace of the back room. The bass was pounding louder than ever, preventing any type of dinner conversation in the main dining room. This combined with an obnoxiously noisy bachelor/bachelorette party combo seated close by makes me vow to stick to weeknights when visiting Twist.

Like its fellow Here to Serve restaurants, Twist boasts some great specials, including all-you-can-eat tapas for $10 on Sundays and half-price bottles of wine on Mondays. Despite its sometimes-clubby atmosphere, Twist is well worth the hype, for tourists and locals alike.

~Blair Branch

Twist is located at 3500 Peachtree Road in Phipps Plaza.
Twist is open daily for lunch and dinner.

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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